After reports surfaced Wednesday regarding the Pittsburgh Steelers signing of veteran cornerback Brandin Echols, it was unclear if it was a one-year deal, or anything larger, especially after the Steelers also agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal with veteran cornerback Darius Slay.
On Thursday the Steelers announced they have signed Echols to a two-year deal, though financial terms were not disclosed.
Echols, 27, joins the Steelers after four seasons with the New York Jets. He was a sixth-round pick of the Jets in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Kentucky, landing at No. 200 overall.
In four seasons with the Jets, Echols recorded five interceptions, with two returned for touchdowns.
Echols signed his deal Thursday, with the Steelers’ Twitter/X account posting a photo of him.
Echols played 1,380 snaps for the Jets in those four seasons, with 1,057 snaps at boundary corner, 169 snaps in the slot, and 122 snaps in the box, according to Pro Football Focus.
In those 1,380 snaps, Echols recorded five interceptions and 16 pass breakups, adding two pick-sixes to his resume. In coverage, Echols has been charged with 90 receptions allowed on 139 snaps for 1,114 yards with six touchdowns. On top of his defensive work, Echols played 707 special teams snaps with the Jets, including 185 last season.
In 2024 Echols played 16 games for the Jets with four starts. He recorded 40 tackles, one tackle for a loss, three passes defensed, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Both of his pick-sixes as a Jet came against the Miami Dolphins, with one going for 30 yards in Week 12 of the 2023 season and the other going for 20 yards in his rookie season during Week 11 of the 2021 season.
Check out what the Steelers are getting in Echols at cornerback in this film room.
