The Pittsburgh Steelers and General Manager Omar Khan have done a great job of addressing needs and depth over the last two seasons. The roster is in a much better spot than it was at this point during the 2025 offseason, and a lot of that has to do with how aggressive Khan has been on the trade market and in free agency. He acquired wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. for a late-round pick swap, and he addressed plenty of needs in free agency. Cornerback Jamel Dean and running back Rico Dowdle headlined the class for Pittsburgh, but there are some hidden gems as well.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan (left) and Owner Art Rooney II (right) on the field at a team practice while having a discussion.
There are always some under the radar free agent signings throughout the NFL, and the Steelers might have more than one of those. Offensive lineman Brock Hoffman has made some noise thanks to his versatility, and defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day is another player that some fans can get excited about. He is a veteran defensive lineman that has had some productive seasons in the NFL, and he should be a key piece in the defensive line rotation for the Steelers.
Beat writer Mark Kaboly was on 93.7 The Fan on Wednesday, and he was asked about a signing in free agency that might surprise some people. He mentioned the defensive lineman.
"I think Sebastian Joseph-Day's gonna be one of the surprising signings of the offseason," Kaboly said.
Joseph-Day is a player that should have a positive impact on and off the field. He has been a team captain multiple times throughout his career, and he is also a Super Bowl champion from his time with the Los Angeles Rams. A background with winning and leadership is valuable to an organization like the Steelers, and he is a significant upgrade to the depth along the defensive front.
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Steelers' Sebastian Joseph-Day working out with the team during minicamp ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
Joseph-Day was drafted back in 2018 in the sixth round by the Rams. He spent four seasons there before signing with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. He was eventually cut and then signed with the San Francisco 49ers for the remainder of the 2023 season. He played in another Super Bowl with San Francisco, and then he was with the Tennessee Titans for two seasons. He is now under contract in Pittsburgh for two seasons, and he brings with him a ton of experience.
Joseph-Day has always been more of a run-stuffer throughout his NFL tenure. He has only amassed 15.5 sacks over his career, which is not very impressive for how long he’s played, but he is probably about to join the best defensive front he’s ever been a part of. This could make it easier for him to get some pressures, which could lead to him being one of the surprises during the 2026 season. He should be able to outperform a two-year, $11 million deal. He has always been an underrated player in the league, but he should get in the spotlight a bit with the Steelers.
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Steelers' Domata Peko during his time coaching with Colorado in 2025.
Steelers Should Have Best Defensive Line In Years
The Steelers were worried about the defensive line just two seasons ago. The franchise has done a great job bringing in younger guys through the draft, and Cam Heyward has continued to be one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL. Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton, and Yahya Black have proven they can all be contributors, and each of those players will continue to develop and improve. Joseph-Day will join this rotation and come off of the bench for Pittsburgh, but he should be able to make his presence known on the defensive front.
What do you think about the Pittsburgh Steelers signing Joseph-Day? What do you expect from him during the 2026 season? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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