After the initial wave of free-agent signings, the Steelers have brought back some depth to a position of need.
James Pierre is staying in Pittsburgh, re-signing on a one-year deal, the team announced Tuesday. The financial terms were not disclosed in the announcement.
Pierre was a restricted free agent heading into the offseason, but the Steelers did not tender a qualifying offer to him or any other restricted free agent by the March 7 deadline.
Pierre originally signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent out of Florida Atlantic University, and grew into a reliable depth piece in the cornerback room. Over the past two seasons, Pierre has recorded 76 tackles, two interceptions and eight passes defended while logging snaps in all 34 regular season games.
In 2022, the folks at Pro Football Focus gave Pierre high marks for a rotational player in a limited amount of time, giving him a 69.9 grade for the 260 snaps he played. In comparison, Ahkello Witherspoon played 12 fewer snaps than Pierre due to injury and received a 45.4 grade for the time he was on the field.
Pierre's return further solidifies the depth behind Patrick Peterson, Levi Wallace, Witherspoon and Arthur Maulet. Of course, there is still every reason to believe the Steelers will be very engaged in the richly-talented group of cornerbacks in the upcoming draft class. But, free agency is the time to address needs, and Pierre certainly addresses that.
