The Pittsburgh Steelers have added safety Jaquan Brisker, cornerback Jamel Dean and safety Darnell Savage to their secondary this offseason. These moves come after head coach Mike Tomlin's resignation and the hiring of Mike McCarthy. Players expressed excitement about reuniting with former teammates and reaching new heights.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are revamping their secondary following significant offseason acquisitions. Jaquan Brisker, who played alongside Joey Porter Jr. at Penn State for three seasons, joined the Steelers and highlighted their potential impact during an introductory press conference and interview with Steelers.com. “It’s amazing, ’cause in college we were young, but we were still great teammates. We performed on the field, and…we try to train with each other every year. Being able to play with each other is gonna be amazing,” Brisker said. “We got a lot more swagger, things like that, and we make plays. And that’s what the city needs. So it’s gonna be amazing getting back with Joey, and I miss playing with him. I always told him we need to link up, and now it’s here…It’s perfect.” The Steelers signed Brisker to a deal worth $5.5 million, positioning him for a hybrid role in the slot and at safety, while Porter Jr. starts on the outside. Each forced two turnovers in their 2021 college season and combined for 22 pass breakups last year in the NFL, though interceptions have been limited to one per pro season each. Jamel Dean, entering his age-30 season after a career-best 2025 with the Buccaneers—three interceptions, nine passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one touchdown—joined Pittsburgh. “Coming off a season like that just makes me [feel] like I want to do more,” Dean said via the Steelers’ website. “And with the personnel and defensive staff we have, I feel like they’ll help me reach those goals that I’ve got set for myself.” He praised new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham for communication and energy. Darnell Savage, a former first-round Packers pick, arrives as depth after starting 83 of 97 career games and logging 5,452 snaps. At 28 years old with seven NFL seasons, he could serve as a dime back behind starters like Porter Jr., Jamel Dean, Jalen Ramsey, DeShon Elliott and Brisker. The additions raise questions about increased use of dime packages, given the talent depth including retained players like Asante Samuel Jr. These changes follow the Steelers' 10-7 record and Wild Card playoff exit in 2025, with a new coaching staff under McCarthy replacing Tomlin.