Could a veteran defender be on the way out in Pittsburgh?
Calls Mount for Steelers to Make Drastic Roster Change Despite Preseason Win originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
With several starters sitting out the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason opener, veteran cornerback James Pierre had the opportunity to experience the highs and lows of increased playing time.
The highs came early, with Pierre doing a strong job defending Jacksonville Jaguars two-way rookie Travis Hunter. Then came the bad, specifically Jaguars receiver Trenton Irwin beating Pierre on a third-quarter touchdown.
Nick Mullens and Trenton Irwin give the @Jaguars the lead 👀
— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2025
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/bCSocTcRn6
Pittsburgh eventually recorded a 31-25 victory, and Pierre recorded five tackles on a team-high 38 snaps. However, Steelers fans honed in on Pierre allowing the touchdown and called for the team to release the sixth-year defensive back.
“‘X’ beats James Pierre for a TD is something I’m really tired of hearing,” wrote one X/Twitter user.
Added another: “James Pierre has been nothing but a liability since the first second he put on a Steelers jersey.”
Those are harsh words for Pierre, who has quietly become a mainstay on both Pittsburgh’s defense and special teams unit. Undrafted out of FAU in 2020, Pierre played 21% of the Steelers’ defensive snaps last season and started twice.
“I swear every season I think he’s gone,” an X user nonetheless posted, “and every season this man pops up as CB13 or some [expletive] GO AWAY.”
Pierre, who turns 29 on Sept. 16, typically makes his impact felt on kickoffs. He played 63% of the Steelers’ special teams snaps, normally as a gunner on returns, and even earned two All-Pro votes.
Unfortunately for Pierre, his defensive struggles continued on Monday. Steelers reporters shared on Twitter/X that DK Metcalf and Scotty Miller scored touchdowns against him amid a position battle with third-year corner Cory Trice.
“Pierre should not see the field other than special teams this year,” read one comment.
It is unclear if Pierre, who signed a one-year contract worth nearly $1.3 million this past March, will start at cornerback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday night.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Football
