Five Players from the Steelers' 2025 Practice Squad Enter Free Agency
The Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad for the 2025 season has seen a significant change as five players have officially become free agents. These players, TE Jaheim Bell, CB Tre Flowers, WR Brandon Johnson, RB Trey Sermon, and TE Matt Sokol, are now free to sign with any team in the league. The expiration of their contracts marks a pivotal moment in their careers, offering new opportunities and challenges.
Among these players, Tre Flowers and Trey Sermon stood out for their contributions during the regular season. Flowers, signed on Christmas Day, made his debut in Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns, contributing to the team's special teams. Despite his initial presence, he was waived to make room for WR DK Metcalf during the postseason. However, Flowers was elevated for the Wild Card game against the Houston Texans, though he remained a healthy scratch, only promoted as a precaution against potential pre-game injuries.
Sermon, on the other hand, had a more limited role, appearing in the team's kick-return unit after rookie RB Kaleb Johnson's blunder in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. He accumulated 47 special teams snaps, showcasing his versatility and impact in those areas.
Jaheim Bell, Brandon Johnson, and Matt Sokol also spent time on the practice squad. Bell was added to the squad after TE Darnell Washington suffered a broken arm, while Johnson was brought back on December 24. Bell, despite his contributions, did not see any game action in 2025. Johnson and Sokol, both part of Pittsburgh's training camp roster, are now free agents, opening up new possibilities for their careers.
The Steelers' approach to these free agents is intriguing. While they have signed over a dozen players to their offseason 90-man roster, even without a head coach, the decision not to sign Bell, Johnson, and Sokol to Reserve/Future contracts suggests they may be exploring other options. This strategic move indicates a potential shift in the team's direction, leaving fans and analysts curious about the future of these players and the Steelers' overall strategy.
