The Pittsburgh Steelers cut their roster down to the required 53 players, and the very next day, they make a move to sign cornerback Desmond King II as reported by Ian Rapoport. King was released by the Houston Texans on August 28th as they attempted to get their roster down to 53 players as well.
Texans Wire / USA TODAY
The Steelers already had a new look cornerback room heading into the 2023 season, and now yet another face has been added to the group. In free agency the team lost Cameron Sutton to the Detroit Lions when he signed a 3-year $33 million contract. The team also released slot cornerback Arthur Maulet back in May, and he later signed with the division rival Baltimore Ravens and made their 53-man roster.
In an effort to replace the players they lost, the Steelers attacked both free agency and the draft to do so. In free agency the team signed All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson along with fellow former Minnesota Vikings defensive back, Chandon Sullivan who works heavily in the slot. The team also spent their first of two second round picks on Joey Porter Jr., as well as a seventh round pick on Cory Trice Jr. Trice Jr. unfortunately had a season ending injury and was place on the Injured Reserve list ending his season at the beginning of August.
Gene J. Puskar / AP
Pittsburgh Steelers seventh round pick, defensive back Cory Trice Jr. (27) attends the NFL football team’s rookie minicamp in Pittsburgh Friday, May 12, 2023.
With the Steelers electing to sign the recently released King, they're gaining a talented cornerback that has versatility both on defense and special teams. King was named a First Team All-Pro in 2018 at cornerback, as well as Second Team All-Pro the same year as a punt returner during his time with the then-San Diego Chargers. Steeler Nation likely remembers the punt return for a touchdown King had that season against the Steelers when the Chargers came to Pittsburgh.
King's versatility on defense is something that will definitely help round out the Steelers secondary, as he has a lot of experience both on the perimeter and the slot with solid tape at both positions. With so much turnover in the secondary this season, adding someone with King's ability is definitely a luxury the team will be happy to have.
#SteelerNation
