On Tuesday, theSteelerssigned former Bears cornerback Terell Smith to their 53-man roster off the Commanders' practice squad.
Oct 5, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) celebrates after a fumble against the Washington Commanders during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
(Brad Mills, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
Nov 3, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) defends Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn (17) in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
(Brad Rempel, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
Sep 24, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) misses the pass as Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) defends during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
(Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
Sep 24, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) is unable to make the catch aginst Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
(Jay Biggerstaff, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
Oct 1, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (19) picks up a first down on a pass reception as Chicago Bears defensive back Terell Smith (32) moves in for the tackle in the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
(Jamie Sabau, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
Sep 24, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) breaks up a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore (24) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
(Jay Biggerstaff, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) poses after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
(Brad Rempel, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
Dec 24, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) drops a pass while being defended by Chicago Bears defensive back Terell Smith (32) in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
(Jamie Sabau, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
Nov 24, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) makes a catch over Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
(Mike Dinovo, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
Dec 8, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) runs onto the field before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images
(Bob Kupbens, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) catches a pass against the Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
(Brad Rempel, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos of Steelers' newest cornerback Terell Smith
Oct 5, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) celebrates after a fumble against the Washington Commanders during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
(Brad Mills, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos of Steelers' newest cornerback Terell Smith
Oct 5, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) celebrates after a fumble against the Washington Commanders during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
(Brad Mills, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos of Steelers' newest cornerback Terell Smith
Nov 3, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
(Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos of Steelers' newest cornerback Terell Smith
Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) defends Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn (17) in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
(Brad Rempel, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
4/12
Photos of Steelers' newest cornerback Terell Smith
Sep 24, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) misses the pass as Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) defends during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
(Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos of Steelers' newest cornerback Terell Smith
Sep 24, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) is unable to make the catch aginst Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
(Jay Biggerstaff, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos of Steelers' newest cornerback Terell Smith
Oct 1, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (19) picks up a first down on a pass reception as Chicago Bears defensive back Terell Smith (32) moves in for the tackle in the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
(Jamie Sabau, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos of Steelers' newest cornerback Terell Smith
Sep 24, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) breaks up a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore (24) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
(Jay Biggerstaff, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos of Steelers' newest cornerback Terell Smith
Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) poses after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
(Brad Rempel, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos of Steelers' newest cornerback Terell Smith
Dec 24, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) drops a pass while being defended by Chicago Bears defensive back Terell Smith (32) in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
(Jamie Sabau, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos of Steelers' newest cornerback Terell Smith
Nov 24, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) makes a catch over Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
(Mike Dinovo, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos of Steelers' newest cornerback Terell Smith
Dec 8, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) runs onto the field before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images
(Bob Kupbens, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos of Steelers' newest cornerback Terell Smith
Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) catches a pass against the Chicago Bears cornerback Terell Smith (32) in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
(Brad Rempel, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
Smith, who was drafted by the Bears with the 165th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, played in Chicago for three seasons (2023-2025) before being waived as part of final roster cuts. He signed with the Commanders' practice squad shortly after and remained with Washington until signing with the Steelers' 53-man roster.
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Smith showed a lot of promise during his first two years in Chicago, appearing in 26 games and making six starts. He recorded 68 combined tackles, 10 passes defended, one interception, and a forced fumble during his first two seasons with the Bears. Smith was primed for a shot at a starting cornerback position in 2025 before a season-ending knee injury derailed his trajectory in Chicago.
Pittsburgh will be Smith's latest opportunity in the NFL. Considering Dean will miss time as he recovers from an ankle injury, there's a real possibility that Smith could see a big role early.
