By Ross Jackson
After several months of medical checks and recovery processes, free agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. has found his new home. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the veteran cornerback is signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers after taking visits with several NFL teams.
Samuel was a popular name often connected with the New Orleans Saints dating back to the offseason. He and Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley are very familiar with one another, as Staley selected Samuel in the second round of the 2021 draft, Staley’s first draft class as an NFL head coach.
During their time together with the Los Angeles Chargers, Samuel held the prized “STAR” role in the coach’s defensive scheme.
Staley brought that scheme to New Orleans this offseason and thus many expected that he would also bring along Samuel once medically cleared.
The cornerback visited the Saints on two separate occasions as he worked his way back from a neck procedure that limited his early-season availability. Once cleared to return to football, Samuel took visits with the Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears and the Steelers.
The Saints not making the final visit list was already telling, though it didn’t necessarily mean there wasn’t mutual interest. But with the Saints virtually out of the playoff conversation and focusing on the development of young talents like cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, Quincy Riley and Alontae Taylor, there simply may have been a lesser role for Samuel to adopt in the Big Easy than elsewhere.
Despite Samuel landing with the Steelers, the door shouldn’t be completely closed between New Orleans and Samuel. The Saints have had extension conversations with Taylor, who currently mans the STAR role in New Orleans. But should those talks not arrive at a deal and Taylor signs elsewhere, bringing Samuel to New Orleans could be in the cards. Especially if he finishes his stint with the Steelers healthy.
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