Commanders Release Ex-Steelers Cornerback

The Washington Commanders have released former Pttsburgh Steelers cornerback and special teams ace James Pierre, according to NFL insider Josina Anderson.

Like Miles Boykin, Pierre could be a candidate to be brought back to the Steelers for special teams help. The Steelers are in need of a gunner on the punt team. Pierre would also provide solid depth at outside corner behind Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson and Cory Trice.

Pierre signed with Washington in March after spending four seasons in Pittsburgh. Pierre, 27, first joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent out of Florida Atlantic in 2020, and became a key reserve and special teamer over his four seasons with the team.

Last season, the Steelers retained Pierre after he had been a restricted free agent, declining to tender him a contract, but then re-signing him to a one-year contract. This season, he was a traditional unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Pierre earned his most extensive playing time in 2021, when he appeared in all 17 games and made four starts at cornerback, filling in for the injured Ahkello Witherspoon.

Over four seasons, he played in 66 games and made six starts. Pierre recorded a total of 94 tackles, one tackle for loss, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, six passes defended and two interceptions in his Steelers career.

He was a key member of the Pittsburgh special teams, appearing in over 50% of the team’s third-phase snaps over his four season. He specialized as a kick coverer.

A three-star prospect out of Deerfield Beach, Florida, Pierre initially committed to North Carolina, but was denied admission there. He went to Syracuse, where was taken as an academic non-qualifier.

He then transferred from Syracuse to FAU and after playing sparingly in 2017, he quickly became a two-year starter.

He had 55 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and nine passes defended as a sophomore in 2018 and 44 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, seven passes defended and three interceptions as a junior in 2019.