The Steelers are dipping back into a familiar well as they look to reinforce their outside linebacker depth, signing Jeremiah Moon off the Panthers’ practice squad. With T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig both listed as non-participants on the injury report, Pittsburgh is clearly looking to shore up a position that’s suddenly a little too thin for comfort.
Moon isn’t a new face to this locker room. He suited up for the Steelers in 13 games last season, even earning a start, and carved out a role on special teams with 222 snaps. That kind of experience-especially within this system-makes him a logical choice as the team looks for a plug-and-play option who won’t need much of a learning curve.
After spending the 2025 preseason with Pittsburgh, Moon was released during final roster cuts and landed in Carolina. His time with the Panthers has been quiet-just one game played and six special teams snaps-but the Steelers clearly saw enough in his earlier stint to bring him back into the fold.
Because he’s being signed off another team’s practice squad, the Steelers will be required to add Moon directly to the 53-man roster. That means a corresponding move is coming, though the team hasn’t made anything official just yet.
The timing of the move suggests it’s more than just a precaution. With Watt and Herbig both banged up, and the defense continuing to lean heavily on its edge rushers, Pittsburgh is making sure it has enough firepower on the outside. Moon may not be a headline name, but he’s a known commodity who can contribute right away-especially on special teams, where his versatility and experience could prove valuable down the stretch.
This is a depth move, yes-but it’s also a smart one. The Steelers are in the thick of the playoff hunt, and every roster spot matters.
Bringing in someone who knows the playbook, understands the culture, and can step in without missing a beat? That’s the kind of move that might not make headlines but can quietly pay dividends when it counts.