Steelers News: Killebrew Heads to Tampa Bay
In a move that shakes up special teams dynamics, former Pittsburgh Steelers standout Miles Killebrew has inked a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, reportedly worth $1.8 million. This transition reunites him with former Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith and Kenneth Gainwell, setting the stage for an intriguing collaboration in Tampa.
The signs were clear that Killebrew was moving on. Last month, he put his Washington County home on the market, a move reported by Joyce Hanz of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Real estate agent Sal Bucci confirmed his relocation to Tampa, signaling a new chapter for the special teams ace.
Killebrew, 32, faced a tough break last season with a knee injury in Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns, which ended his season prematurely. Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward didn't mince words about the incident, attributing the injury to the poor playing surface at Acrisure Stadium.
"Honestly, it was rough," Heyward remarked. "Losing a teammate like that is tough."
Since joining the Steelers in 2021, Killebrew has been a force on special teams, racking up 60 tackles and earning first-team Associated Press All-Pro honors in 2023. His NFL journey began as a fourth-round pick by the Detroit Lions in 2016, where he spent five seasons before making a splash in Pittsburgh.
Killebrew quickly became a key player for the Steelers, securing a two-year, $4 million extension in 2022. His exceptional performance earned him back-to-back Pro Bowl selections in 2023 and 2024, followed by another contract extension.
Hailing from Henderson, Nevada, Killebrew's college career at Southern Utah was nothing short of impressive. He tallied 356 tackles, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, seven passes defensed, three interceptions, three blocked kicks, and two defensive touchdowns from 2011 to 2015.
As Killebrew embarks on this new journey with the Buccaneers, his impact on special teams will be one to watch. Tampa Bay fans can look forward to seeing how his experience and skill will bolster their squad.