When the Pittsburgh Steelerssigned Asante Samuel Jr. last season, he was coming off offseason surgery. He worked his way into the lineup opposite Joey Porter Jr. and made an impact down the stretch. After re-signing with the Steelers on a one-year deal, Samuel is already turning heads at training camp. He continues to make plays and could be pushing for more than just a role as a package cornerback.
Samuel has consistently made plays against the Steelers' starting receivers. With Porter on the PUP list, he has taken advantage of increased first-team reps. Samuel isn't just proving he's healthy. He's showing he could become a significant contributor, even if it's still early in camp.
Samuel proving himself in Year 2 with Steelers
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Samuel's health was the primary concern last season and remained a question entering this year. As Broderick Jones' situation has shown, neck injuries can be unpredictable. Samuel underwent a successful procedure and completed his recovery last year. Now, he appears to be taking a major step forward during training camp.
Locking down DK Metcalf is no easy task, yet Samuel has held his own. He's also demonstrating his ability to thrive in zone coverage, giving the Steelers another versatile option in the secondary.
If Samuel carries this momentum into the preseason, he could make a legitimate push for more defensive snaps. With the Steelers expected to use Jalen Ramsey as a chess piece, Samuel could carve out a larger role in nickel packages, or perhaps even earn an opportunity beyond that.
Could Samuel push for a starting role?
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The longer Porter remains sidelined, the more opportunities Samuel receives. Could he eventually challenge Porter or Jamel Dean for starting snaps? That may be a stretch, considering Porter is engaged in contract extension talks and Dean was signed in free agency to start. Still, if Samuel continues this level of play, his performance will become increasingly difficult to ignore.
Samuel isn't just competing for more playing time in 2026. He could also position himself for a new contract before hitting free agency in 2027. There's still plenty of football left to be played, both in training camp and during the regular season, but Samuel looks healthy and is playing like the second-round pick he was in 2021. The more he produces, the more confidence the coaching staff and fans will have in the Steelers' cornerback depth.
