In one of the more intriguing developments of the 2025 NFL offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers have signed former Arizona Cardinals first-round pick Isaiah Simmons, adding a versatile and athletic defender to an already fearsome defensive unit. The move signals the Steelers’ continued commitment to defensive excellence while offering Simmons the opportunity to revitalize a career that has, to this point, failed to meet the lofty expectations that accompanied his selection as the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The deal, reported as a one-year “prove-it” contract worth up to $6 million with incentives, could be a win-win situation for both parties. Simmons gets a chance to reassert his value in a system that better aligns with his strengths, while the Steelers could be acquiring a defensive chess piece with the potential to tilt games in their favor.
A Rare Athletic Specimen
Coming out of Clemson, Simmons was one of the most hyped defensive prospects in recent memory. At the 2020 NFL Combine, he wowed scouts with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds — a freakish display of speed for a player of his size. More importantly, his film at Clemson showed a player who could line up at multiple positions: safety, linebacker, edge rusher, and even cornerback in certain sub-packages.
His versatility was seen as his calling card — the kind of hybrid player who could revolutionize how defenses adapt to the NFL’s increasingly positionless offenses. However, the Cardinals never quite found the right way to utilize him. Inconsistent coaching, schematic instability, and a lack of clear positional definition led to a disappointing four-year run in Arizona.
Simmons was eventually traded to the New York Giants in 2023 for a mere seventh-round pick, a stark fall from his top-10 draft status.
Stint with the Giants: Flashes of Growth
With the Giants, Simmons played in all 17 games during the 2023 season, starting nine. Though his snap counts were sporadic early on, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale began to deploy him more creatively as the year went on. Simmons logged 64 total tackles, 4 sacks, and a pick-six — showcasing the playmaking ability that made him such a tantalizing prospect.
Despite the flashes, the Giants opted not to re-sign him. Entering 2024, Simmons remained unsigned deep into free agency before a late-camp invite from the Baltimore Ravens. Though he didn’t make the final roster, multiple coaches around the league privately noted his improved discipline and conditioning.
That behind-the-scenes growth may have played a key role in Pittsburgh taking a shot on the now 26-year-old defender.
Steelers: The Right Fit at the Right Time
The Steelers’ defense already boasts elite talent at all three levels, including reigning Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt, All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, and emerging star linebacker Cole Holcomb. However, head coach Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin have been searching for a hybrid defender who can rotate between linebacker and safety — someone who can match up with modern NFL tight ends and running backs in space without compromising run defense.
That’s exactly what Simmons can bring if used correctly.
“He’s a unique player,” Tomlin said during the team’s voluntary mini-camp. “He’s got traits you can’t coach. Our job is to put him in positions to be successful and let him play fast. We’re not asking him to be everything — just to be Isaiah Simmons.”
Early reports indicate that the Steelers plan to use Simmons primarily in sub-packages, where his versatility can shine without the burden of being a full-time starter. He’s expected to rotate in as a dime linebacker, roaming safety, and even slot corner in certain blitz-heavy packages. That multi-positional deployment is a hallmark of the Steelers’ hybrid 3-4 defense and could be the perfect setting for Simmons to thrive.
Mental Maturity and Fresh Motivation
Sources close to Simmons say he’s “locked in” like never before. After bouncing between teams and struggling to find footing in the NFL, the former Clemson star is approaching this season with a chip on his shoulder.
“Being in the league a few years, you start to realize it’s not just about talent,” Simmons told reporters after his first practice in Pittsburgh. “It’s about fit, it’s about preparation, it’s about doing your job. I’m grateful for this chance, and I’m going to make the most of it.”
Simmons also credits veterans like Bobby Okereke and Xavier McKinney — former teammates in New York — for helping him transition from “athlete” to “true pro.”
“I’ve grown mentally. I know how to watch film better. I understand the game from a different lens now,” he said.
His willingness to accept a lesser role to begin with, and earn reps through performance, signals a newfound humility that has impressed Steelers coaches.
A Legacy of Defensive Resurgence in Pittsburgh
The Steelers are no strangers to rehabilitating defensive players who were once considered underachievers. In recent years, the team has helped reinvigorate the careers of players like Joe Haden, Tyson Alualu, and Terrell Edmunds. Pittsburgh’s emphasis on defensive identity, sound coaching, and accountability provides a structure in which players like Simmons can find purpose and consistency.
Linebackers coach Aaron Curry — himself a former first-round pick who struggled in the NFL before finding redemption in coaching — has already formed a bond with Simmons.
“I’ve been where he’s been,” Curry said. “You come in with all these expectations, and the league humbles you. But that’s not the end of the story. Simmons still has elite traits, and we’re excited to work with him.”
NFL Landscape and Player Role Evolution
Simmons’ journey also speaks to the broader trend of positionless defense in today’s NFL. As teams emphasize spread formations, motion-heavy concepts, and multi-dimensional offensive weapons, defenders must be able to cover, hit, and blitz from multiple alignments. While Simmons may not have become the prototype player that some envisioned, he remains an important test case for how NFL teams utilize unique talents.
With the right guidance, Simmons could still become a blueprint for the modern NFL hybrid — a roving defender who makes splash plays all over the field without being pigeonholed.
Potential 2025 Impact: Ceiling and Floor
Best-case scenario? Simmons thrives in Pittsburgh’s scheme, making timely plays, racking up tackles, and disrupting opposing offenses in a way that earns him another contract — either with the Steelers or elsewhere — and resets his career trajectory. He could become a top rotational defender or even a starter by season’s end.
Worst-case scenario? He continues to struggle with assignments, doesn’t crack the starting lineup consistently, and becomes a cautionary tale of unrealized potential.
But given the minimal financial risk and the upside, it’s hard to argue against Pittsburgh’s decision to take a chance.
Steelers Fans React
Reactions from Steelers fans have been largely positive, with many seeing Simmons as a classic “Steelers-type” player: gritty, athletic, and hungry for redemption.
“This is exactly the kind of low-risk, high-reward move that wins championships,” wrote one fan on a popular Steelers subreddit. “If he doesn’t pan out, no harm. But if he does… look out.”
Pittsburgh radio hosts have also chimed in, praising the front office for staying aggressive in free agency.
“He’s the kind of player you hate to game-plan against because you don’t know where he’s coming from,” said 93.7 The Fan host Colin Dunlap. “Now he’s on our side.”
Looking Ahead
As the Steelers gear up for what could be a pivotal 2025 campaign, all eyes will be on Simmons to see whether this latest chapter can finally unlock his immense potential. With the guidance of Tomlin, Austin, and a veteran-laden defense, Simmons is in arguably the best position of his career to succeed.
Sometimes, a change of scenery isn’t just helpful — it’s necessary. For Isaiah Simmons and the Pittsburgh Steelers, this could be the beginning of something special.
Final Word: Redemption in the Steel City?
Isaiah Simmons’ NFL story isn’t over — not even close. Though the road has been winding and filled with hurdles, the former first-round pick now has the opportunity to silence doubters and redefine his narrative in one of football’s most storied franchises.
If he can harness his talent, embrace the system, and stay focused, the Steelers may have just pulled off one of the sneakiest signings of the offseason.