The Steelers have reportedly re-signed cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to a one-year, $4 million contract, two days before he would have become a free agent. The deal was reported by Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Today is the start of the “legal tampering” period, when teams can talk to pending free agents and agree on a contract with them, but they cannot officially sign them until the new NFL year begins, which is at 4 PM on Wednesday. However, teams can re-sign their own pending free agents, who are technically still under contract with their team until the start of the NFL year.
Samuel is a former second round draft pick of the L.A. Chargers who was released after having spinal fusion surgery for a neck injury in 2024. He signed with the Steelers in November and played in six regular season games, intercepting one pass.
