Steelers Now Have Second Chance To Sign 1 Particular Undrafted Free Agent

The Pittsburgh Steelers will look for help from anywhere they can. They have had a solid history with undrafted free agents, with Beanie Bishop Jr. being tied for 10th in interceptions in the NFL during the 2024 season, with just one less than his former teammate and team leader in picks, Donte Jackson. Jaylen Warren has been a very dynamic running back during his short career so far, as he had over 1,000 total yards in 2023 despite getting less than 50% of offensive snaps. 

Every now and then, there is an undrafted free agent that slips through the cracks. The Steelers had their eye on one player in particular after the 2024 preseason. They were very interested in Mark Perry, but he turned down their offer to join the Houston Texans' practice squad. Numerous teams were reportedly interested in the undrafted rookie. 

Eventually, the Texans released Perry from their practice squad, and he signed on in the same role with the New England Patriots, where he spent the entire season. Afterwards, he was signed to a futures deal with them, which he maintained all throughout the 2025 NFL Draft. However, the Patriots'  recent draft picks and undrafted signings have made him and other depth pieces more expendable, and they were all cut. 

If the Steelers are still interested in Perry, now would be a great time to sign him. After their roster moves on Monday, April 28th, they have 88 roster spots filled, including one roster exemption for an international player. That means they have three spots on their roster that are still available. Even if one of them is for Aaron Rodgers or any other quarterback, they could still bring in the safety that they were intrigued by in the previous year. 

Perry was part of the Texas Christian University (TCU) Horned Frogs team that made it all the way to the National Championship Game in the 2023 season. During the 27 games played in two years for TCU, he racked up 142 tackles and 10 tackles for loss (TFL). In that same time frame, he only had six passes defended and no interceptions. 

If the Steelers are still interested in him, they would likely try to use him as a box safety for obvious running downs. It wouldn't be the first time that Head Coach Mike Tomlin had had a young player make that switch. With how Perry has already bounced around from team to team, that move could be a way for him to find a home for at least a season, even if it's just as a practice squad/backup player. 

Steelers' Unfortunate News Could Open Up Opportunity For Perry

As part of Monday's roster moves, the Steelers officially released second-year defensive back Ryan Watts due to the neck injury he suffered in the 2024 preseason. Suffering a career-ending injury that early is so tragic, and everyone hopes for the best for Watts. Of course, his misfortune means someone else will get a chance to compete in training camp. 

The Steelers could sign Perry to see what he has because of that terrible injury for Watts. With the need for a fourth safety and Miles Killebrew being a special teams ace completely, there is an avenue to where the former undrafted rookie can find a spot on the 53-man roster.