The Pittsburgh Steelers made significant roster moves on December 2, 2025, by mutually agreeing to part ways with veteran cornerback Darius Slay after 10 games and claiming wide receiver Adam Thielen off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings. The team also signed cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. from its practice squad to fill Slay's spot. These changes come as the 6-6 Steelers prepare for a crucial AFC North matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
On December 2, 2025, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced they had mutually agreed to part ways with six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay, who had signed a one-year, $10 million fully guaranteed contract in March. Slay, who turns 35 on January 1, appeared in 10 games with nine starts this season, recording 36 tackles, three pass breakups, and one fumble recovery. However, injuries and inconsistent performances led to him losing his starting job to James Pierre before the Week 12 loss to the Chicago Bears. Slay suffered a concussion in Week 10 against the Chargers, missed Week 11, played 20 snaps as a backup in Week 12 after Joey Porter Jr.'s hip injury, and was a healthy scratch in the 26-7 Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Head coach Mike Tomlin explained that Slay's inactivity against Buffalo was to evaluate Asante Samuel Jr., a former second-round pick who joined the practice squad last month. Samuel made his Steelers debut in that game, playing 28 snaps and earning a 70.1 PFF grade while Pierre was sidelined with a concussion. In a corresponding move, the Steelers signed Samuel to the active roster. The 29-year-old has 51 career games with 47 starts, 179 tackles, six interceptions, and 37 passes defensed, primarily from his time with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Simultaneously, Pittsburgh claimed 35-year-old wide receiver Adam Thielen off waivers after the Vikings granted his release request. Thielen, a two-time Pro Bowl selection in his 12th and final NFL season, caught just eight passes for 69 yards in 11 games with Minnesota this year and was a healthy scratch in their 26-0 Week 13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. A former undrafted free agent who spent 2013-2022 with the Vikings, Thielen ranks fourth in franchise receptions (542), fifth in receiving yards (6,751), and third in touchdowns (55). His most recent 1,000-yard season came in 2023 with the Carolina Panthers (103 receptions, 1,014 yards, four touchdowns). Thielen joins a receiving corps led by DK Metcalf, the only Steeler over 300 receiving yards this season, and will team up with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, with whom he competed in the NFC North for a decade.
These moves address a secondary that started the season with Slay, seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey, and Porter Jr. at corner, plus safeties Juan Thornhill and DeShon Elliott. Adjustments include Ramsey moving to free safety after Thornhill's release, Brandin Echols starting at corner, and Kyle Dugger replacing an injured Elliott at strong safety following his October 31 trade from the New England Patriots. Pittsburgh's pass defense ranks 28th in the NFL in passing yards allowed and faces Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson on Sunday, who has completed under 60% of passes with one touchdown and three interceptions over his last four games.
The 6-6 Steelers hold a 44.8% chance to win the AFC North and 45.1% to make the playoffs, tied with the 6-6 Ravens, who own the tiebreaker, while the 4-8 Bengals lurk behind.
