James Pierre is back in Pittsburgh. The cornerback/special teamer re-signed with the Steelers today (per the team). Pierre signed a new one-year deal with the organization.
The Florida Atlantic product joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2020, and he hasn’t missed a game across three seasons with the organization. He’d had a consistent special teams role each year, but he’s seen a larger defensive role over the past two seasons.
Pierre has started six games for Pittsburgh over the past two years, appearing in 674 defensive snaps. He had a productive season in 2021, finishing with 47 tackles, three forced fumbles, and one interception. He followed that up with a 2022 campaign where he compiled 29 tackles, four passes defended, and one interception.
Pierre was non-tendered by the Steelers at the start of free agency, making him an unrestricted free agent. The Steelers surely got him on a discount compared to the tender values, and he’ll provide both the defense and special teams with some inexpensive continuity heading into 2023.
Well, he’s depth and special teams, I guess. All in all, I’d rather have Edmunds back before this signing
It’s apples and oranges though. Pierre gives depth, he’s been in the system and knows the system. He is solid on special teams and you sign him at a team friendly deal.
Edmunds is a safety, a healthy Kazee is arguably better or on par with Edmunds. Edmunds didn’t have a huge market for his services last year, so that to me would kinda indicate how most teams see him as well. He did have a decent season last year, but is he worth what you’d likely have to pay him?