Seven-year veteran cornerback Jamel Dean has agreed to a new three-year, $36.75 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dean, a former third-round pick and one-time Super Bowl champion, has spent the entirety of his career to date with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Jamel Dean, Steelers, Agree to Contract
The 2025 season was another strong campaign for one of the league’s more underrated playmakers. Starting and appearing in 14 games, the cornerback finished the season with three interceptions, nine passes defended, one sack, 46 tackles, one tackle-for-loss, two quarterback hits, and an 80.6 PFF grade, the fifth-best mark out of 112 eligible players. The Buccaneers themselves started the season strong with multiple last-second victories, but ultimately collapsed down the stretch and missed the playoffs.
Jamel Dean originally entered the league as a third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Auburn product made an immediate impact in the secondary. Appearing in 13 games while making five starts, the rookie finished his inaugural campaign with two interceptions, a career-best 17 passes defended, 21 tackles, and an impressive 76.4 PFF grade. Tampa Bay missed the playoffs, but Dean showed plenty of promise as a rookie.
Tom Brady joined the club in 2020, and Jamel Dean remained a key player in the secondary. With the offense operating at peak efficiency, Dean helped the team go on a championship run by recording one interception, 62 tackles, seven passes defended, and a 76.4 PFF grade. The Buccaneers season ended in glory, as the team defeated Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in a lopsided Super Bowl victory.
Since signing his rookie contract, Jamel Dean has appeared in 96 games while making 77 starts. While on the field, the former third-round pick has recorded 11 interceptions, 61 passes defended, three forced fumbles, one sack, 259 tackles, and seven tackles-for-loss. He won a Super Bowl in 2020 but has yet to earn Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors.
Main Photo: Kim Klement Neitzel – Imagn Images
