The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't waste any time when given the greenlight during the NFL's negotiation period. As the free agency frenzy kicked off, general manager Omar Khan traded for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Just hours later, the Steelers took one of their biggest free-agent swings in franchise history.
On Monday, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported that the Steelers have agreed to a three-year, $36.75 million contract for cornerback Jamel Dean. The veteran CB and 2019 third-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has a new home in Pittsburgh.
Ironically, this comes just minutes after the Bucs poached running back Kenneth Gainwell from the Steelers in free agency, so it's only fair to return to favor.
Dean becomes the second-biggest free-agent signing in Steelers franchise history, falling a few million short of the three-year, $41 million deal Khan dished out to Patrick Queen early in the 2024 free agency period.
The Steelers wanted to improve the secondary, and they did exactly that with this massive signing.
The Pittsburgh Steelers land the perfect Joey Porter Jr. partner with the aggressive Jamel Dean signing
Dean was considered to be one of the top cornerback prospects on the market this year. He was a top-25 free agent on FanSided's list of the 110 best free agents of 2026. Pro Football Focus held Dean in even higher regard as their fifth-ranked free agent this year—regardless of position.
Case in point, Dean is good. He finished with a top-five PFF grade among NFL cornerbacks last season after allowing just 311 yards and a 47.7 passer rating in 14 games last year.
Dean's role with the Steelers and fit with Patrick Graham's defense is easy to see. The veteran cornerback will slide into the starting lineup as the right boundary CB opposite Joey Porter Jr. in the secondary. Both Dean and Porter are big, long, physical cornerbacks who can body-up receivers and make them work for every yard.
The one knock on this signing is that Dean is on the older side. The veteran will turn 30 years old early in the 2026 season. Meanwhile, the Steelers haven't had good luck with aging cornerbacks recently (Darius Slay and Patrick Peterson are two recent examples).
Still, Dean should have a few good years left in the tank, and he's yet to show any signs of aging. Coming out of Auburn in 2019, Dean ran a 4.30 40-yard-dash and posted a 41-inch vertical, so it's nice to know that he has a bit of athleticism to lose, should age catch up with him on his three-year contract with the Steelers.
Overall, Khan isn't leaving anything to chance with this big-time signing. Jamel Dean should instantly improve the Steelers' secondary and give the team added insurance if Joey Porter Jr. happens to go down with an injury.