Subscribe
Follow Us
The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing former Las Vegas Raiders safety Curtis Riley, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Free agent safety Curtis Riley, who started three games for the #Raiders last year, is signing with the #Steelers, source said. He took a physical there today. In 2018, he was an every down starter for the #Giants.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 30, 2020
Riley appeared in all 16 games with the Raiders last season, making three starts recording a forced fumble to go along with 34 total tackles. He had a productive year with the New York Giants in 2018, starting in all 16 games and finishing the season with four interceptions, including one for a touchdown. Riley also tallied five passes defended.
The 28-year-old out of Fresno State figures to be a depth piece for the Steelers.
Pittsburgh has a pair of talented safeties in Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds. The Steelers acquired Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins, and the former Alabama star was named first-team All-Pro after finishing the year with five picks and nine passes defended to go along with a forced fumble. Edmunds ranked second on the team with 105 tackles, though his missed tackle rate went up and he was often burned in coverage.
Of course, depth never hurts any team, especially in a season unprecedented as the 2020 campaign is sure to be given the presence of COVID-19. Riley also offers insurance in the event a defensive player opts out for Pittsburgh.
The Steelers are hoping to reassert themselves as contenders in the NFC North. Ben Roethlisberger returns under center, and Pittsburgh looked to add at the skill positions by drafting former Notre Dame wideout Chase Claypool in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Meanwhile, Riley will hope to contribute to a defense that ranked third in DVOA last year and also led the NFL in sacks.
