“The third time’s the charm,” goes the saying. As cornerback James Pierre and the Pittsburgh Steelers approach free agency both sides will get their chance to either prove or disprove this old addage.
Let’s take a look how the dynamics behind this decision will play out.
James Pierre seals the win by intercepting a pass to Cortland Sutton. Photo Credit: Justin Aller, AP via BTSC
Capsule Profile of James Pierre’s Career with the Steelers
“…What a long strange trip it’s been.” I have no idea of James Pierre is a Grateful Dead fan, but an has his career embodied Jerry Garcia’s’ famous lyrics.
Just take a look at how 2025 unfolded for James Pierre. He got cut at the end of the summer, started the regular season on the practice squad and by the time it ended the Steelers had cut Super Bowl starter Darius Slay and promoted Pierre in his place.
- Its been that way since the beginning for James Pierre.
He got his start during the COVID summer of 2020, as Jim Wexell tagged him as a sleeper to make the final roster. Wexell was right. Pierre made the roster and appeared in special teams in 16 games.
In 2021 Pierre started 4 games at cornerback, making an interception to help beat the Broncos. Yet, he struggled at other times and finished the season on the bench. He did make 2 starts in 2022 including the stepping up as one of several injury replacements in the upset of Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but only started on other game in ’22.
- By 2023 his defensive snap count dropped to just 2%, although he continued to excel on special teams.
The Steelers opted let him walk when he reached free agency in 2024, and Pierre signed with the Washington Commanders. In a move Pierre made them regret, Washington cut him before the season’s start, and Steelers quickly added him to their practice squad and promoted him to active roster after a few weeks.
James Pierre deflects a 3rd down pass. Photo Credit: AP, Chaz Palla, Steelers vs Commanders
Pierre played extensively on special teams and participated in 21% of the Steelers defensive snaps in 2024. Pierre’s role grew in 2025 – after he made the active roster – in a season that saw him deflect 22 passes and his 2nd quarter interception of Lamar Jackson against the Ravens set up Kenneth Gainwell’s touchdown, allowing the Steelers to go up 17-3 in a game they won 27-22.
A multi-year contract is the dream of every NFL player, and this is the third time James Pierre has reached unrestricted free agency the Steelers.* Once the Steelers offered him nothing. Last year he got a one-year deal, will James Pierre cash in with the Steelers on his third time around?
*Pierre was a restricted free agent in 2023 and did not get a tender, but a smaller, one-year contract.
The Case for the Steelers Re-Signing James Pierre
The Steelers secondary is a mess – Joey Porter Jr. will hopefully sign a deal to become Pittsburgh’s long-term starter at cornerback, Jalen Ramsey will presumably return as will Brandin Echols, but the Steelers don’t have much depth beyond that (Cory Trice has talent, but can’t stay healthy.)
At age 29, James Pierre has entered the period of his career where experience and athletic talent meet to optimize performance.
Body Slam! Photo Credit: NFL.com
No, no one will ever mention “James Pierre” alongside the likes of Hall of Fame corners Jack Butler, Mel Blount, Rod Woodson or even Ike Taylor. But James Pierre can be a William Gay like player, and Gay provided stability during a tumultuous time for the Steelers secondary.
Signing James Pierre can accomplish the same goal for the Steelers, while giving Pittsburgh the cushion it needs need to avoid another Artie Burns situation – having to reach for a cornerback in the draft.
The Case Against the Steelers Resigning James Pierre
James Pierre certainly has a nice story, but there’s a reason why the Steelers were able to let him walk and bring him back twice. He is a solid special teams player and can work in at cornerback, but is he really a long-term starter for the Steelers?
The Steelers need to find a true, legit number 2 NFL cornerback to play opposite Porter, particularly if Jalen Ramsey needs to play safety next year.
James Pierre simply isn’t that man.
The Curtain’s Call on the Steelers and James Pierre
Had Mike Tomlin not decided to put up the Go’in Fishing sign, James Pierre’s return to Pittsburgh would be slam dunk. However, he’s new to Mike McCarthy and Patrick Graham.
By all accounts, the Steelers are interested in bringing Pierre back, but no one should expect Omar Khan to offer a blank check. Expect Khan to make him an offer, but he won’t get into any bidding wars to keep James Pierre in Pittsburgh.
