Steelers Work Out Mammoth Canadian Defensive Tackle

The Pittsburgh Steelers tried out CFL defensive tackle J-Min Pelley on Thursday, according to a report by 3 Down Nation.

Pelley, 25, is a 6-foot-5, 330-pound Calgary, Alberta native that has played his entire career in his native country.

Pelley played collegiately with the University of Calgary in 2019 and 2020, winning the Vanier Cup as Canada’s university football champions in 20189. After getting special dispensation to enter the CFL Draft early, Pelley was selected by the Edmonton Elks in the 2022 CFL Supplemental Draft.

In 2022, he played in 16 games with Edmonton, starting six at defensive tackle, and making 11 tackles. He declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, but was not selected and returned to Edmonton last summer. In nine game, he made three starts and again recorded 11 tackles.

The Steelers have had a number of Canadian players in their history, most recently wide receiver Chase Claypool, but also kicker Shaun Suisham, punter Mitch Berger and punter Roy Gerela. But all four of those players attended American colleges before entering the NFL Draft 

The Steelers do not currently have an obvious need on their defensive line, and in fact have been scratching defensive end DeMarvin Leal, a former third-round pick, the last two games.

It’s more likely that they are looking at Pelley as an option as the team looks to signing players to reserve/future contracts for the 2024 season in the coming weeks.