The Pittsburgh Steelers have re-signed safety Miles Killebrew to a two-year contract extension, according to a report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The new contract is worth a total of $4 million, according to Rapoport. Killebrew is the first of the Steelers’ potential unrestricted free agents to re-sign with the team.
Killebrew, 28, spent his first season in Pittsburgh in 2021 as a backup and key special teams contributor. He finished the 2021 season with 13 tackles, one tackle for loss and blocked two punts.
His punt block against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 resulted in a Ulysees Gilbert III touchdown. Against the Los Angeles Chargers, Killebrew blocked a punt that went out of bounds inside the opposing five-yard line.
On the season, Killebrew played in 68% of the Steelers’ special teams snaps and 4% of the defensive snaps while appearing in all 17 games.
In the defense, Killebrew provided depth behind starter Terrell Edmunds at strong safety and also played in the Steelers’ goal line unit, when other teams added extra offensive linemen to their front.
Originally a fourth-round draft pick out of Southern Utah, Killebrew spent his first five pro seasons with the Detroit Lions. He started three games in 2017, but fell out of favor of his time in Detroit and was moved from safety to linebacker before his departure following the 2020 season.
Edmunds is a free agent, so Killebrew is the only strong safety on the Steelers’ offseason roster at the moment. Cornerbacks Joe Haden, Arthur Maulet and Ahekllo Witherspoon are also going to become unrestricted free agents in the secondary unless the re-sign with the Steelers.
The free agency contract period opens Monday at 4 p.m., with teams eligible to sign players starting on Wednesday at 4 p.m.