On a day when the Pittsburgh Steelers brought in outside linebacker Bud Dupree for a visit, they came to terms on contracts with free agents who play other defensive positions.
Safety Keanu Neal, a former first-round draft pick, and nose tackle Breiden Fehoko agreed to deals with the Steelers, according to David Cantner, the agent for both players.
Cantner tweeted news of the signings Thursday night. He referred to Neal’s contract as a two-year deal and didn’t specify the length of Fehoko’s contract, likely making it a one-year investment.
Neal, who turns 28 in July, will provide depth in the secondary. He was the No. 17 overall player selected in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. His career trajectory followed a similar path of safety Damontae Kazee, who signed with the Steelers last offseason.
Neal and Kazee spent the 2017-20 seasons with the Falcons, and each was with the Dallas Cowboys in 2021. But while Kazee joined the Steelers, Neal spent 2022 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Neal, who is 6-foot, 211 pounds, has played free and strong safety as well as hybrid linebacker during his NFL career. He appeared in all 17 games last season with Tampa Bay, starting eight. He also recorded the third interception of his career.
He has 58 career starts and 78 appearances over his seven seasons and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2017.
Fehoko, 26, spent the past three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, starting four times over 19 career appearances. In 2022, Fehoko made three starts and appeared in nine games. He has no career sacks and just one tackle for loss.
Fehoko, an undrafted free agent from LSU, will provide backup help on a defensive line that returns nose tackle Montravius Adams. Tyson Alualu and Chris Wormley each became free agents on March 15 and remain unsigned.
