Teresa Varley

The latest signings:Since the first rush of free agency signings, the Steelers have continued to be busy, bringing back quarterback Mason Rudolph and adding depth all around, including the players below.

Daniel Ekuale:The Steelers signed defensive tackle Daniel Ekuale to a one-year contract.

In seven seasons he has appeared in 57 games, starting 21. He has 91 career tackles, 49 of them solo stops, eight tackles for a loss, six sacks, nine quarterback hits, a pass defense and a forced fumble.

Ekuale spent the last four seasons with the New England Patriots, after he was signed to their practice squad at the start of the 2021 season.

During his time with the Patriots he appeared in 41 games, starting 16. He recorded 74 tackles, 40 of them solo stops, five sacks, six tackles for a loss, eight quarterback hits, one pass defense and one forced fumble.

Esezi Otomewo:The Steelers signed defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo to a one-year contract.

Otomewo was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the 165th overall pick. He spent the last two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In three seasons he has appeared in nine games, starting two. He has nine tackles, three of them solo stops, a tackle for a loss, two quarterback hits and half a sack.

Otomewo appeared in four games for the Jaguars in 2024, starting two of them, and registered four tackles, two quarterback hits and half a sack. He had his best game against the Chicago Bears, when he had two tackles, a quarterback hit and half a sack.

Mason Rudolph:The Steelers signed quarterback Mason Rudolph to a two-year contract.

Rudolph began his career with the Steelers as a third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, spending six seasons with the team before signing with the Tennessee Titans in 2024.

Rudolph has appeared in 29 career games, with 18 starts. He has completed 437 of 686 passes, 63.7%, for 4,615 yards and 28 touchdowns.

In 2024 he appeared in eight games for the Titans, starting five. He completed 146 of 228 passes, 64%, for 1,530 yards and nine touchdowns in his one season in Tennessee.

With the Steelers, he started 13 of 21 games he appeared in, completing 291 of 458 passes, 63.5%, for 3,085 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Rudolph was called upon heavily in 2023, starting the last three games of the season after then starter Kenny Pickett was injured. Rudolph led the team to three straight victories and an AFC Wild Card berth.

Rudolph completed 55 of 74 passes (74.3%) for 719 yards (9.7-yard average) and three touchdowns in four games. He also started the Wild Card game against the Buffalo Bills, completing 22 of 39 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns in the loss.

Prior to the 2023 season, Rudolph saw the majority of his work in 2019 when he started eight of the 10 games he played in, completing 176 passes for 1,765 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Juan Thornhill:The Steelers signed safety Juan Thornhill to a one-year contract.

Thornhill, who is entering his eighth season in the NFL, has appeared in 87 games, starting 74. He has 335 career tackles, 232 of them solo stops, eight interceptions, including one returned for a 46-yard touchdown his rookie season, six tackles for a loss, one sack, 24 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Thornhill spent the last two seasons with the Cleveland Browns, where he appeared in 22 games, starting all of them. He had 102 tackles during this time with the Browns, 72 of them solo stops, four passes defensed and a tackle for a loss.

Starting free agency with a bang:The Steelers made an early splash in free agency, bolstering both sides of the ball with the addition of five new players at the onset of free agency.

The team acquired receiver DK Metcalf via a trade with the Seattle Seahawks and then signed him to a new contract. The team also signed cornerback Brandin Echols, running back Kenneth Gainwell, linebacker Malik Harrison and cornerback Darius Slay.

Brandin Echols:The Steelers signed cornerback Brandin Echols to a two-year contract.

Echols was drafted by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft and has spent the last four seasons in New York.

He has appeared in 57 games, starting 19 of them. He has 113 career tackles, 88 of them solo stops, three tackles for a loss, five interceptions, including two returned for a touchdown, one fumble recovery and 16 passes defensed.

In 2024, he appeared in 16 games, starting four of them. He finished the season with 36 tackles, 28 of them solo stops, two interceptions, three passes defensed, a fumble recovery and four special teams tackles. He had a career-high 10 tackles against the Miami Dolphins in Week 14, along with a pass defense.

Kenneth Gainwell:The Steelers signed running back Kenneth Gainwell to a one-year contract.

Gainwell was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the 150th overall pick, and spent the last four seasons with the Eagles.

He has appeared in 66 games, including four starts, and carried the ball 280 times for 1,185 yards, a 4.2-yard average, and 12 touchdowns. Gainwell also has 102 receptions for 721 yards, a 7.1-yard average, and one touchdown. He also has 27 kickoff returns for 612 yards, a 22.7-yard average.

The Steelers faced Gainwell in a Week 15 matchup against the Eagles in 2024, when he rushed for 20 yards on seven carries, and had three receptions for 40 yards. He also had 63 kickoff return yards, for a total of 123 all-purpose yards in the game.

Gainwell played in all 17 games in 2024, starting one, while carrying the ball 75 times for 290 yards, a 3.9-yard average, and one touchdown. He also had 16 receptions for 116 yards, a 7.3-yard average as he helped the Eagles on special teams as well during their Super Bowl LIX season as he returned 18 kickoffs for a career-high 456 yards, a 25.3-yard average.

Malik Harrison:The Steelers signed linebacker Malik Harrison to a two-year contract.

Harrison was originally drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the 98th overall pick and has spent the last five seasons with the Ravens.

Harrison has appeared in 76 career games, with 35 starts. He has 144 career tackles, 78 of them solo stops, and seven tackles for a loss. He also has two sacks, four quarterback hits, and one pass defensed. He also has 30 special teams tackles, including 17 solo stops.

Harrison plays with an edge, an aggressive approach that will have him fit right in with the defense.

In 2024, he played in 15 games, with seven starts, and had a career-high 46 tackles, with 16 solo stops. He also had career-highs with two sacks, three tackles for a loss and eight special teams tackles. Harrison was part of a Ravens' defense that was ranked No. 1 against the run in 2024 (80.1 yards per game) and No. 2 in sacks (54) and fourth down efficiency (42.9%).

DK Metcalf:The Steelers acquired receiver DK Metcalf in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks. The Steelers will send the Seahawks their second round pick (52nd overall) and seventh round pick (223rd overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft, and receive the Seahawks sixth-round pick (185th overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft. Metcalf also signed a new five-year contract with the team.

Metcalf was drafted by the Seahawks in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft and spent the last six seasons in Seattle.

In those six seasons, he has appeared in 97 games, starting 93 of them, and has 438 receptions for 6,324 yards, a 14.4-yard average, and 48 touchdowns, which rank eighth-most among active players in the NFL. He has three touchdowns longer than 70 yards, including a career long 84-yard touchdown.

Metcalf has 15 100-yard games, including one against the Steelers in 2023, and a career-high 177 yards receiving against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020. He also has two 100-yard receiving games in the postseason. He also has three 1,000-yard seasons and has 13 catches of 50 yards or more in his career, which ranks seventh among active receivers..

Metcalf was a second-team Associated Press All-Pro selection in 2020 and a two-time Pro Bowl selection in 2020 and 2023.

Darius Slay:The Steelers signed cornerback Darius Slay to a one-year contract

Slay was originally drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, the 36th overall selection. He spent his first seven seasons with the Lions before playing the last five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles after he was acquired via a trade in 2020.

He was a First-Team Associated Press All-Pro selection in 2017, a six-time Pro Bowl selection (2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024) and a starter for the Eagles Super Bowl LIX championship team.

Slay has appeared in 177 games, starting 167. He has 614 career tackles, 512 of them solo stops, and 16 tackles for a loss. He has 28 career interceptions, three of them returned for touchdowns including a long of 70 yards, 161 passes defensed, five fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one sack.

His 161 passes defensed since 2013 leads all NFL players. He also has four multiple interception games.

Slay was a force for the Eagles Super Bowl run in 2024, starting 14 games and finishing the season with 49 tackles, 39 of them solo stops, three tackles for a loss and led the team with 13 passes defensed for the Eagles No. 1 pass defense and No. 1 overall defense.

Keeping their own:The Steelers signed several of their own players back during free agency, keeping multiple players

Isaiahh Loudermilk:The Steelers signed defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk to a one-year contract.

Loudermilk, who was drafted by the Steelers in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, has appeared in 58 games over four seasons, starting five of them.

For his career he has recorded 63 tackles, 38 of them solo stops, six passes defensed, a sack and a tackle for a loss.

In 2024, Loudermilk appeared in 16 games and recorded 17 tackles, 10 of them solo stops, and a pass defensed, in a reserve role. He also appeared in 16 games in 2023, recording 16 tackles, eight of them solo stops, and two passes defensed.

Scotty Miller:The Steelers signed receiver Scotty Miller to a one-year contract.

In six seasons, Miller has played in 80 games, with 11 starts. He has 90 receptions for 1,154 yards, a 12.8-yard average, and six touchdowns. He has also carried the ball eight times for 81 yards, a 10.1-yard average, and one touchdown.

Miller signed with the Steelers in 2024, playing in 13 games, with one start. He had five receptions for 69 yards, a 13.8-yard average, including a long of 21 yards.

Miller spent the 2023 season with the Atlanta Falcons under Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. He appeared in 17 games for the Falcons, finishing the year with 11 catches for 161 yards, a 14.6-yard average, and two touchdowns.

James Pierre:The Steelers signed cornerback James Pierre to a one-year contract.

Pierre returned to the Steelers for a second stint in 2024, signed to the practice squad in September after his release from the Washington Commanders and then elevated to the 53-man roster one week later.

He appeared in 15 games in 2024, starting two, and recorded 12 tackles, eight of them solo stops, and one interception, occurring against the Cleveland Browns to close out the game in a 27-14 win at Acrisure Stadium in Week 14.

Pierre was originally signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft out of Florida Atlantic. He has appeared in 81 career games, with eight starts in four seasons. He has recorded 71 tackles, including 60 solo stops, 11 passes defensed, three interceptions and a forced fumble. He also has 46 special teams tackles.

Pierre saw action in 16 games in 2023, mainly on special teams. He had seven special teams tackles, five of them solo stops.

Ben Skowronek:The Steelers signed receiver Ben Skowronek to a two-year contract.

Skowronek began the 2024 season on the Steelers practice squad and was elevated for the Week 1 game against the Atlanta Falcons and Week 2 against the Denver Broncos, before he was placed on the Reserve/Injured List on Sept. 18.

He was elevated to the 53-man roster in November, and appeared in a total of 10 games, starting one. He finished the season with five receptions for 69 yards, a 13.8-yard average.

Skowronek also played a huge role on special teams, finishing tied for fourth on the team with seven special teams tackles, including four solo hits, and a team-high two fumble recoveries.

Pre-free agency roster moves:The Steelers tendered an offer to running back Jaylen Warren and signed center Ryan McCollum to a one-year contract and released defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi just days before free agency began.

Warren is restricted free agent and by tendering an offer, the Steelers reserve the right to retain Warren by matching any offer sheet he would sign with another team. Warren could also remain with Pittsburgh by signing its tender offer for the 2025 season or by signing a long-term contract with the Steelers.

Warren originally signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft, making the 53-man roster from the start.

In three seasons, Warren appeared in 48 games, not making any starts. He has 346 carries for 1,674 yards, a 4.8-yard average, and six touchdowns. He also has 127 receptions for 894 yards, a 7.0-yard average.

In 2024, Warren appeared in 15 games, finishing with 120 carries for 511 yards, a 4.3-yard average, and one touchdown.

He had his best season in 2023, appearing in 17 games and finishing with career highs with 149 carries for 784 yards, a 5.3-yard average, and four touchdowns. He also had 61 receptions for 370 yards, both career highs, for a 6.1-yard average.

In his rookie season, Warren carried the ball 77 times for 379 yards, a 4.9-yard average, and one touchdown in 16 games, working as Najee Harris' backup. He added 28 receptions for 214 yards, a 7.6-yard average.

He had one of his best games of the season in Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens, with season highs of 12 carries for 76 yards.

Warren finished his college career at Oklahoma State, where he played one season. He was named the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year by the league's head coaches. He had 256 carries for 1,216 yards and 11 touchdowns. He played two seasons at Utah State and started as a JUCO product at Snow College.

McCollum spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons on the Steelers practice squad, before being on the active roster in 2024. He appeared in 17 games in 2024, starting two at center when Zach Frazier was injured.

McCollum signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2021 NFL Draft. He was then signed by the Detroit Lions, appearing in 13 games, with one start.

In four seasons, he has appeared in 30 regular season games, starting three, and one post season game.

He played college football at Texas A&M where he started 10 games at center his senior season.

The team signed veteran tight end Donald Parham Jr. to a one-year contract. Parham spent the 2024 season on the Denver Broncos practice squad, but didn't see any action.

Parham spent four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers (2020-23) and appeared in 47 regular-season games, starting 23 of them.

For his career, he has 67 receptions for 764 yards, an 11.4-yard average, and 11 touchdowns. He also appeared in one postseason game for the Chargers, finishing the game with four receptions for 23 yards.

In 2021 he started nine games, finishing with 20 receptions for 190 yards and three touchdowns. In 2023, Parham had a career-high 27 receptions for 285 yards, and a team and career-high four touchdowns for the season.

Parham played for the Dallas Renegades of the XFL before joining the Chargers, where he appeared in five games. He was the XFL's top tight end, pulling in 24 receptions for 307 yards, the third-most yards among all XFL players, and four touchdowns.

He played college football at Stetson University where he was first-team All-American his senior year when he caught 85 passes for 1,319 yards and 13 touchdowns, leading the FBS and FCS in all three categories for tight ends that season.

The Steelers also released linebacker Preston Smith.

Coaching Changes:Two changes that took place on the coaching staff were naming Gerald Alexander defensive backs coach and Scott McCurley inside linebackers coach.

Alexander is no stranger to the Steelers coaching staff, having spent two seasons (2022-23) as the assistant defensive backs coach with the team, before leaving to become the safeties coach for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024.

In two years in Pittsburgh he worked with a secondary that recorded 36 interceptions, which was tied for second in the league. In 2023, the defense held opponents to a 84.7 passer rating, which was 10th best in the NFL.

In Alexander's first year with the Steelers, he worked with a secondary that was tied for first in the NFL in interceptions with 20 in 2022. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick finished that season with a career-high and NFL leading six interceptions while earning first team Associated Press All-Pro honors.

McCurley, who is a Western Pennsylvania native, spent the last five seasons (2020-24) as the linebackers coach for the Dallas Cowboys and a total of 18 years in the NFL, 15 in a coaching role.

Last season, McCurley oversaw the Cowboys linebackers who recorded 22 of the team's 52 sacks, while Micah Parsons recorded a team-high 12 sacks for the season, becoming the first player since Reggie White in 1982 to record at least 12 sacks in their first four seasons. Parsons went on to be named to his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl Games in 2024. Cowboys linebacker Eric Kendricks led the team with a career-high 145 tackles, including three tackles for a loss, three sacks and a team-high three forced fumbles, despite missing two games injured.

Reserve/Future signings:The Steelers signed 19 players to Reserve/Future contracts this offseason. They are all listed below:

Defensive back Joshuah Bledsoe Bledsoe was originally drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth-round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons with the Patriots, appearing in four games. Bledsoe played college football at Missouri where he appeared in 38 games. He finished his college career with 121 tackles, 88 of them solo stops, six and a half tackles for a loss and one interception.

Tackle Dylan Cook Cook placed on the Reserve/Injured (Designated for Return) List before the start of the regular season, and returned to practice on Oct. 17. He was released on Oct. 31 and re-signed to the practice squad. Cook spent the 2023 season on the 53-man roster, but didn't see any game action. Cook entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following the 2022 NFL Draft. He spent the 2022 season on Tampa's practice squad. He played college football at Montana where he appeared in 27 games, starting 23 of them, and was a two-time Academic All-Big Sky selection.

Defensive tackle Domenique Davis Davis spent time on the Steelers practice squad during the 2024 season. Davis originally signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft. He was out of the NFL for two seasons before signing with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022. He spent time on the Bengals practice squad and active roster during the past two seasons. Davis played college football at North Carolina Charlotte where he appeared in 31 games. He finished with 123 tackles, 51 of them solo stops, 15 tackles for a loss and six sacks.

Linebacker Devin Harper Harper spent time on the Steelers practice squad in 2024. Harper was originally drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He played in three games for the Cowboys in 2022 before being placed on the Reserve/Injured List. In 2023 he appeared in three games for the Cowboys, before being claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals. He appeared in six games for the Bengals last season. Harper played college football at Oklahoma State.

Running back Evan Hull Hull was originally drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth-round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He spent portions of the 2023 and 2024 seasons on the Colts practice squad. He played in two games, with one carry for one yard, and had one reception for six yards. He played college football at Northwestern where he appeared in 37 games. He had 488 carries for 2,417 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also had 94 receptions for 851 yards and four touchdowns.

Defensive back D'Shawn Jamison - Jamison spent time on the Steelers practice squad during the 2024 season. Jamison originally signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft. He was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers and appeared in 15 games for the Panthers in 2023, starting two. He finished the season with five tackles, three of them solo stops, and one pass defensed. Jamison played college football at the University of Texas where he appeared in 60 games, starting 40 of them. He recorded 139 tackles, 109 of them solo stops, six tackles for a loss, 23 passes defensed, two fumble recoveries, one sack and one forced fumble.

Receiver Brandon Johnson Johnson spent time on the Steelers practice squad during the 2024 season Johnson was elevated for the Week 7 game against the New York Jets and the Week 8 game against the New York Giants. Johnson originally signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft. He spent time on the practice squad and active roster over the last two seasons. Johnson has played in 21 games, starting three, and has 26 receptions for 335 yards and five touchdowns. He played in 13 games in 2023, pulling in 19 receptions for 284 yards and four touchdowns. Johnson played college football at the University of Central Florida.

Guard Steven Jones Jones originally signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oregon where he stated all 14 games his senior season at right guard for an offensive line that led the nation with just five sacks allowed for the second year in a row.

Linebacker Eku Leota Leota spent time on the practice squad during the 2024 season. Leota was elevated for the Week 6 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Leota was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Carolina Panthers following the 2023 NFL Draft. Leota began the 2023 season on the Panthers practice squad before he was signed to the active roster during the season. He appeared in eight games last season, mainly on special teams. He has three defensive tackles, and one quarterback hit. Leota started in the Panthers Week 2 game against the Los Angeles Chargers this season, recording a sack. Leota played college football at Auburn, after transferring from Northwestern. He appeared in a total of 36 career games, starting 10 at Auburn and one at Northwestern.

Defensive back Cameron McCutcheon - McCutcheon originally signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft and has spent time with the team the last two seasons. He played college football at Western Carolina where he appeared in 22 games over two seasons. He finished with 79 tackles, 48 of them solo stops, four and a half tackles for a loss, eight passes defensed, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Receiver Lance McCutcheon - McCutcheon spent time on the Steelers practice squad during the 2024 season. McCutcheon originally signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft. He also spent time on the Houston Texans and New York Jets practice squads. McCutcheon played college football at Montana State where he appeared in 51 games. He finished with 94 receptions for 1,741 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also added one rushing touchdown.

Defensive back Kyler McMichael - McMichael originally signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft. He spent the 2022 season on the Buffalo Bills practice squad and also spent time this offseason with the Arizona Cardinals after they claimed him off waivers. McMichael played college football at the University of North Carolina where he appeared in 21 games over two seasons. He recorded 44 tackles

Guard Doug Nester Nester spent the 2024 season on the Steelers practice squad. Nester originally signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft. Nester played college football at West Virginia where he appeared in 57 games, starting 52 of them. In 2023 he played in 12 games, starting 11, with 660 offensive snaps and didn't allow a sack.

Linebacker Thomas Rush - Rush originally signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft. He spent the season on the Titans practice squad and was signed to a Reserve/Future contract following the season. Rush played college football at Minnesota where he appeared in 58 games. He finished his college career with 86 tackles, 55 of them solo stops, 13.5 tackles for a loss, eight and a half sacks, five passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Rush started all 13 games in 2022, recording 34 tackles and earning All-Big Ten honorable mention.

Running back Aaron Shampklin - Shampklin spent time on the 53-man roster and the practice squad during the 2024 season. He appeared in three games, with six carries for 17 yards in 2024. Shampklin was with the team throughout the offseason and through the preseason. Shampklin originally joined the Steelers when he signed a Reserve/Future contract at the end of the 2023 season. Prior to that he spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023, and also spent part of the 2022 season with the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys. He played at Harvard where he was a two-time All-Ivy League selection, leading the league with a 92.8-yard rushing average per game in 2021. He finished his career with 402 carries for 2,251 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Defensive tackle Jacob Slade Slade spent the 2024 season on the practice squad. Slade was signed to a Reserve/Future contract at the end of the 2023 season. Slade spent time on the Arizona Cardinals practice squad after he was originally signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft. He played college ball at Michigan State where he recorded 88 tackles, including 11.5 for a loss, four sacks, four passes defensed and a fumble recovery.

Quarterback Skylar Thompson Thompson was originally drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh-round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He appeared in 10 games with the Dolphins over the last three seasons, including starting three, and throwing for 721 yards and one touchdown. He also started one postseason game. Thompson played college football at Kansas State where appeared in 45 games and completed 552 passes for 7,134 yards and 42 touchdowns.

Running back Jonathan Ward - Ward spent time on the practice squad and active roster in 2024, and had five carries for 22 yards in four games. Ward took part in the Steelers rookie minicamp on a tryout basis and was signed following it. In five seasons in the NFL, he has played in 47 games, carrying the ball 22 times for 91 yards, a 4.1-yard average. He also has six receptions for 52 yards, an 8.7-yard average, and one touchdown. Ward originally signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent two plus seasons with the Cardinals, before joining the Tennessee Titans during the 2022 season. He also spent the 2023 season with the Titans. Ward played college football at Central Michigan where he played in 42 games, carrying the ball 473 times for 2,539 yards and 28 touchdowns. He also had 98 receptions for 909 yards and four touchdowns.

Linebacker Julius Welschof - Welschof was signed originally signed by the team as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft and spent time on the practice squad during the season. He started at defensive end for Charlotte but had his 2023 season cut short due to injury, playing in four games. He began his career at Michigan where he played in 35 games. In 2022 he played in all 14 games. He is from Miesbach, Bavaria, Germany.