Former Pittsburgh Steelers’ outside linebacker Malik Reed is now a Miami Dolphin. According to his agent Mike McCartney, Reed has signed a one-year contract with the Dolphins.
Reed will join former Broncos’ pass rusher Bradley Chubb in Miami. He’ll also reunite with former coach Vic Fangio, now the Dolphins’ DC, who coached him in Denver.
Pittsburgh traded for Reed right before Week One last year with the goal of boosting their pass rush depth. The Steelers sent a 2023 6th round pick to the Broncos for Reed and a 7th round selection.
But the move was ultimately a poor one. Reed struggled in an increased role after T.J. Watt partially tore his pectoral muscle in Week One, a lack of size hurting his run defense. He was largely ineffective as a pass rusher and finished the season with just 25 tackles and career-low one sack. Over the team’s final five games, Reed appeared in just two and logged 19 total defensive snaps.
By the end of the season, Reed struggled to see the field. He was inactive for both of the team’s matchups against the Baltimore Ravens, a sign of the team’s lack of trust in his run defense. DeMarvin Leal became a de facto #3 OLB.
Reed was fully expected to hit free agency and sign elsewhere. Now he’s in Miami. He’s one of several free agents the Steelers have lost this offseason, including CB Cam Sutton to Detroit and LB Robert Spillane to Las Vegas. Though given Reed’s struggles, this is hardly a loss.
Pittsburgh’s current EDGE depth includes Leal, Jamie Jones, and Quincy Roche. The team could look to add in free agency or the draft. The Steelers reportedly have interest in Bud Dupree.
