The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for their second preseason game, set for kickoff Friday night. However, it appears the Steelers aren’t done evaluating their roster, even at positions where they already have a surplus of talent. Their cornerback room looks like one of the deepest they’ve had in more than a decade. According to a recent report, though, general manager Omar Khan is keeping his options open.
The Steelers have reportedly been in contact with the Green Bay Packers regarding cornerback Carrington Valentine. With Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr., and Brandin Echols all dealing with injuries, this is an interesting development that raises more questions about the position.
“Teams have been calling the Packers about the availability of CB Carrington Valentine. The 3 teams that have called are the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, and Cincinnati Bengals. Valentine is on the last year of his rookie deal, where he is scheduled to make $3.7mil this year.” Easton Butler reported on X.
Is an Injury a Little Worse Than We Know?
The Steelers already have legitimate depth at cornerback. However, the recent injuries could be forcing them to examine the position more closely.
Porter and Ramsey have both been working back from injuries while on the PUP list, limiting their availability during training camp. Echols also suffered an injury during camp, further thinning the group.
The Steelers have provided little transparency regarding the severity or expected timelines for those injuries. That doesn’t necessarily mean there is a major concern, but the reported interest in Valentine could suggest the team wants to protect itself against the possibility that one or more players won’t be ready when the regular season begins.
Steelers Monitoring Slot Corner Depth?
There is another possibility that doesn’t require an injury to be as serious as it may seem. With Echols and Ramsey currently dealing with injuries, Pittsburgh could simply be looking to ensure it has adequate depth at slot cornerback heading into the regular season. Valentine could help fill that need because of his ability to play both inside and outside.
The 24-year-old enters the final year of his rookie contract and has already gained experience in Green Bay’s secondary. Adding a player with that versatility would give the Steelers another option while they wait for their injured defensive backs to return.
Whether Pittsburgh actually makes a move remains to be seen. However, the reported interest shows Khan isn’t content to simply hope the current group stays healthy.
