Story by
Rising Steelers CB Headed to NFC Team
- Story by
- Rising Steelers CB Headed to NFC Team
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre during a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 6, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre is on his way to the Minnesota Vikings , according to NFL insider Josina Anderson . Anderson reports that Pierre has agreed to a two-year deal with Minnesota worth $8.5 million total, 3.7 million guaranteed and a $2.5 million signing bonus.
There were eight or nine teams that had an interest in the former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback.
Advertisement
Pierre, 29, turned heads last season as he recorded a career-high 11 passes defensed and one interception.
Pierre and Joey Porter Jr. finished the 2025 season at the very top of the league, according to Pro Football & Sports Network's Cornerback Impact Metric. Porter earned a league-best 95.3 grade, while Pierre followed closely behind with a 90.3, making them the two highest-graded cornerbacks in football by the metric.
Pierre's rise was even more unexpected. Entering the season, he was far from a roster lock after spending years as a depth piece. Injuries forced him into a larger role, and he responded with some of the best football of his career. He was particularly impressive against the Cincinnati Bengals , recording a key pass breakup while covering Ja'Marr Chase. Pierre also delivered one of the season's defining moments with a crucial interception in Week 14 against the Baltimore Ravens , a play that played a major role in a Steelers' victory.
Pierre is Pro Football and Sports Network's fourth-best cornerback in free agency.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre in a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 7, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
An undrafted free agent out of the 2020 NFL Draft, Pierre has recorded 147 tackles, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 22 passes defensed and four interceptions in his professional career.
Advertisement
The Steelers re-signed cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to a one-year contract, avoiding free agency before the start of the NFL's contact period on Monday.
Samuel's new deal with Pittsburgh is for one year and $4 million, per ESPN — a significant bargain as he's slotted to be the team's starting cornerback opposite Joey Porter Jr.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Rising Steelers CB Headed to NFC Team
Related Headlines
