Another great signing is being tailored in this NFL Free Agency. The Pittsburgh Steelers are closing a deal with S Keanu Neal, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac. The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers player was a free agent and will reportedly arrive at the Steelers to add depth to the roster.
Neal, 27, is not expected to be a starter. But reportedly, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that the team was going to the market for a safety and a linebacker, in the Free Agency or in the Draft. Keanu’s arrival could free up the draft choice.
Before suffering in the past, Neal seemed to be moving from safety to linebacker, both needs in the Steelers roster. He could also cover Terrell Edmunds's departure if he plays in the LB position. Also, Neal is considered a hard-hitter, so even if he plays as a safety he could line up closer to the line of scrimmage.
The safety/linebacker was a first-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons. After five seasons with the team, he moved to Dallas in 2021. Then, he spent one year with the Cowboys and another one with the Buccaneers. Now, he is moving for the first time to the AFC, playing for the fourth team of his career.
Keanu Neal
As we mentioned, Neal was the no. 17 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft, selected in the first round by the Atlanta Falcons. After seven years in the league, he has played a total of 80 games as a professional NFL player.
He adds up 473 tackles (328 solo + 145 assisted), 2.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, four recovered fumbles and three interceptions in those games. Fun fact, he has never scored a touchdown in his career. Regarding his individual recognition, he was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2017 and to the All-Rookie Team in 2016.
