The Steelers reported to training camp on Tuesday and took the field for the first official practice on Wednesday afternoon. It’s a homecoming for the franchise, going back to Latrobe for the 59th training camp at St. Vincent College.
The Steelers may also be eying a Pittsburgh native defensive back for a homecoming of his own.
According to Noah Strackbein of Sports Illustrated, the Steelers are discussing a contract with free-agent safety Jordan Whitehead.
“According to sources, the Steelers and free
agent defensive back Jordan Whitehead are discussing the possibility of a deal, and there’s believed to be mutual interest between the two sides in getting something done,” Strackbein writes.
A Central Valley and University of Pittsburgh alum, Whitehead missed the entire 2025 season after suffering a severe neck injury during a car accident in 2024. A seven-year veteran who won Super Bowl LV with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, Whitehead was a dependable starter before injury. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft and played four seasons in Tampa Bay before joining the New York Jets for two years. He re-joined the Bucs in 2024 and made 79 tackles in 12 games.
Over the course of his NFL career, Whitehead has started 101 of 105 games and recorded a career-best four interceptions in 2023. He owns 557 combined tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 45 passes defended, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 2.5 sacks, and 11 interceptions in seven years.
The Steelers signed Gateway and Penn State alum Jaquan Brisker to join the safety room on a one-year deal, and retained DeShon Elliott and Jalen Ramsey on the roster.
Whitehead could become the second WPIAL safety in recent history to play a meaningful role for the Steelers and join North Allegheny and Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. in the defensive back room.
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