Asante

Samuel

Samuel Jr. missed most of the 2024 season after undergoing spinal fusion surgery. He was fully recovered midway through the 2025 season and signed with Pittsburgh. He went on to appear in six games for the Steelers, three of which were credited as starts. In Week 15, Samuel Jr. picked off his first pass since 2023. With a full offseason to prepare, the former second-round corner could take on a full-time starting role in Pittsburgh this year.

In a corresponding move, the Steelers signed Asante Samuel Jr. to the active roster. ESPN’s Adam Schefter framed this as the two “mutually agree[ing] to part ways.” The obvious re-landing spot for Slay is in Philadelphia, though he’s free to consider other options now. The 34-year-old had a 58.6 PFF coverage grade for the Steelers, his lowest since his final season in Detroit during the 2019 season.

Pierre was seeing an extended run on the outside with Darius Slay a healthy inactive. With him in the locker room, that has led to more snaps for newly signed Asante Samuel Jr.

The Asante Samuel tour of America ends early, as he had been threatening to keep it rolling in other towns later this week. Samuel had spinal-fusion surgery after heading to IR early in the 2024 season. A once-promising high second-round pick, he’s still only 26 years old. If he can play anything like his old form, the Steelers did well to roster him. The fact that he’s signed with the practice squad shows an NFL that is pretty skeptical he’ll return to it.

Samuel continues to make his rounds with teams in search of his services. The fifth-year corner was medically cleared to return to play after undergoing a spinal fusion surgery, and could help any secondary in need of a boost before the postseason. Samuel has started 47 of the 50 games he’s appeared in during his career, totaling 176 tackles, six interceptions, and 37 pass breakups.

Samuel Jr.'s Carolina visit was reported this morning. He is now up to six visits lined up for the next week, all with teams above .500 in the win-loss column. Samuel Jr. was recently medically cleared after undergoing spinal fusion surgery in the offseason. He is now free to sign with any team and should be back on the field after he gets up to speed with his new squad.

Samuel was recently medically cleared after undergoing a spinal fusion procedure and will begin visiting potential suitors, starting with the Panthers. The former Chargers star missed most of the 2024 season with a serious neck injury. He has six interceptions and 148 tackles over 50 NFL games. It would be something of a surprise if Samuel sees game action in 2025.

Samuel Jr. won’t attempt to sign with a team until the second half of the season. The former Chargers standout has been stellar on the field, but missed most of last season with this injury and looks poised to try to rebuild his value for 2026 free agency with a small cameo in 2025.

The Dolphins will have a need at corner whenever the Jalen Ramsey situation is handled — and aren’t exactly loaded at the position even with him — and Samuel is considered one of the best defensive backs remaining on the market. The 25-year-old underwent neck surgery this offseason, but assuming there are no massive setbacks, he should be ready for the beginning of the 2025 campaign. Samuel is also a potential target for the Saints, who worked out the defender Monday.

Samuel, fresh off offseason neck surgery, visited with the Saints Monday as he pursues his next playing opportunity. He has a clear connection to the franchise after they hired his former head coach Brandon Staley to fill their defensive coordinator position. Fowler adds that Samuel has another doctor visit scheduled for early July, during which time he hopes to gain clearance to resume football activities.