Breaking News: Steelers Shock Fans with 5 Explosive New Signings And Strength and Conditioning Coach Abruptly Departs
The Pittsburgh Steelers continued to replenish their offseason roster, announcing the signing five players to reserve/future contracts Tuesday.
Three of the signings are cornerbacks. Each of the five spent at least part of this past season on the Steelers’ practice squad:
• Outside linebacker David Perales was among the undrafted rookie free agents signed soon after the draft, and he spent the majority of the season on the practice squad. Perales had 22 ½ sacks in 33 FBS games for Fresno State.
• Cornerback Kalon Barnes spent 11 September days as part of the Steelers, one of six organizations he’s been with since being a seventh-round pick of the Carolina Panthers in 2022. He dressed for two regular-season games as a rookie for the Minnesota Vikings.
• Cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. has 11 games (one start) of NFL regular-season experience since he was a sixth-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 2021 but did not appear in any games last season. He most recently was on the practice squad of the Cleveland Browns.
• Inside linebacker Tyler Murray made for a neat story in November when he said he left his shift at an Amazon warehouse when the Steelers called offering a contract on their practice squad. He was cut, though, six days later.
• Cornerback Josiah Scott is a versatile four-year NFL veteran signed to the Steelers practice squad just before the regular season began. But Scott ended up on the practice-squad injured list and ended up playing four mid-season games for the Philadelphia Eagles. He’s played 39 games for the Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars over the past four seasons.
Teams can hold a maximum of 90 players on their offseason rosters and throughout the preseason.
S&C coach departs
The Steelers and head strength and conditioning coach Marcel Pastoor have parted ways, according to a social-media post from Pastoor. Pastoor had been with the organization for 23 years. Pastoor was an assistant from 2001-21 before. His bio was no longer on the Steelers’ official website Tuesday.
Fans of the Steelers — particularly those who have attended training-camp practices at Saint Vincent — might recognize Pastoor for at times working out with players as a de facto extra quarterback for drills.
“I have been unbelievably gifted to work for the greatest company, greatest owners and coaches and staff for the past 23 years, and I am ready for a change,” read Pastoor’s post on LinkedIn.