Report: Tyson Alualu Spurns Jaguars to Re-Sign with Steelers

In a surprising turn of events, defensive tackle Tyson Alualu is reportedly re-signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a two-year deal, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Alualu had agreed to terms with the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, but apparently had a change of heart due to unforeseen circumstances and will now return to Pittsburgh.

After initially agreeing to terms with the #Jaguars, veteran DE Tyson Alualu had a change of heart and now is re-signing with the #Steelers on a two-year deal, per sources.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 27, 2021

According to Pelissero, Alualu was set to sign with the Jaguars, but tested positive for COVID-19, preventing him from traveling to Jacksonville.

During his quarantine period, Alualu apparently thought long and hard about the decision to join the Jaguars and came to the conclusion that it was in the best interest of himself and his family to rejoin the Steelers.

Crazy backstory: Tyson Alualu was going to sign with the #Jaguars, but couldn’t make the trip after testing positive for COVID, per sources. He’d built his dream home in Pittsburgh, has kids in school, and with 10 days to think, he decided to stay. https://t.co/oeVQv9W2ie

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 27, 2021

Alualu, 33, actually played the first seven seasons of his career in Jacksonville, and was obviously set to make a comeback before changing his mind.

Alualu’s return is great news for a Pittsburgh defense that was set to lose five starters from a season ago.

An eleven-year veteran, Alualu had a career renaissance in Pittsburgh last season, morphing into an unsung hero of one of the league’s top defenses.

He tallied 38 combined tackles, four tackles-for-loss, two sacks and five pass deflections in 2020.