The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on May 9 the signing of safety Robert Spears-Jennings, one of their seventh-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, to a four-year contract. Spears-Jennings was selected with the 224th overall pick and played college football at Oklahoma.
The addition of Spears-Jennings addresses a need in the team’s defensive lineup. In his four seasons at Oklahoma, he appeared in 47 games and started the final 12 games of his senior year. He finished his collegiate career with 178 tackles, including 101 solo stops, eight tackles for loss totaling 33 yards, two and a half sacks, and two interceptions.
“He had a skill set that we were looking for,” said assistant head coach/secondary Joe Whitt Jr. “We addressed different needs and different spots, but he’s a kid that I personally like and we like this as a defensive staff.”
Whitt also commented on Spears-Jennings’ versatility: “He’s a guy that can play in the box. He has the speed to play in high zones. So, he’s not limited by anything from a skill set standpoint. But we’ll use him depending on the guys around him.” Spears-Jennings echoed this sentiment about his flexibility on defense: “I feel like I’m a plug-and-play guy,” said Spears-Jennings. “You put me anywhere on the field. I can play in the box, I can play in the post, I can play back. It doesn’t really matter to me.”
The Steelers are recognized for their long-standing success within professional football as members of the National Football League franchise according to their official website. The team has achieved six Super Bowl championships according to their official website and honors its history through initiatives such as its Hall of Honor Museum at Acrisure Stadium according to their official website.
Looking ahead, Spears-Jennings’ signing adds depth to Pittsburgh’s roster as they prepare for upcoming seasons.
