Mike McCarthy has officially made his first roster move as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it’s a name that should catch the attention of fans looking for under-the-radar upside. The team has signed wide receiver A.T. Perry to a reserve/future contract, bringing in a player with intriguing tools and a resume that suggests there's still untapped potential.
Perry, 26, was originally a sixth-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in the 2023 NFL Draft. Since then, he’s bounced around a bit - most recently landing with the Denver Broncos - but he’s shown flashes of what made him a draftable prospect.
In 10 games, he hauled in 12 receptions for 246 yards and four touchdowns. That’s a touchdown every three catches - not a bad ratio for a player still trying to find his footing in the league.
What Perry brings to the table is no mystery. At Wake Forest, he was a legitimate deep-ball threat, racking up 171 receptions, 2,662 yards, and 28 touchdowns with an eye-popping 15.6 yards per catch.
That kind of production doesn’t just happen by accident. Perry has the size, speed, and vertical ability to stretch the field - something Pittsburgh could use more of in its receiving corps.
This move is part of a broader offseason strategy by the Steelers to build depth and competition across the roster. Alongside Perry, Pittsburgh has also added a number of players on reserve/future deals, including tight end J.J. Galbreath, defensive lineman Jahvaree Ritzie, defensive backs Doneiko Slaughter and D’Shawn Jamison, and offensive linemen Lorenzo Thompson and Sataoa Laumea.
These signings don’t always make headlines, but they matter. Reserve/future contracts are how teams fill out their 90-man offseason rosters, and they often lead to training camp battles that shape the final 53. For Perry, this is a shot at a fresh start in a system that could benefit from his skill set - and for the Steelers, it’s a low-risk move with potential upside.
McCarthy has been busy assembling his coaching staff, but this first roster addition under his watch is a reminder that the work of building a team never stops. Perry’s journey is far from over, and Pittsburgh is giving him the opportunity to write the next chapter.