The Pittsburgh Steelers have bolstered their defensive lineup by signing veteran cornerback Tre Flowers to the 53-man active roster, the team announced on Thursday. This move comes in response to a roster spot that opened up due to the suspension of wide receiver DK Metcalf for the final two games of the 2025 regular season.
Tre Flowers, at 6-foot-3 and 203 pounds, brings experience to the Steelers’ secondary. The 30-year-old cornerback has spent this season on the practice squads of both the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions, where he played in two games with Detroit in October. Originally drafted in the fifth round by the Seattle Seahawks in 2018, Flowers had a noteworthy career in Seattle, especially in 2019 when he recorded impressive stats including 82 tackles, three interceptions, and eight passes defended.
After four seasons with the Seahawks, where he started as a rookie and had significant contributions in his early years, Flowers was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021. He spent two seasons with the Bengals, primarily as a specialist defender against tight ends. In 2023, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons, where he spent the entire season, and later had stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts in 2024.
The Steelers have faced challenges in their cornerback depth recently, particularly with James Pierre sidelined due to injury and Brandin Echols suffering an injury during a game against the Detroit Lions. This left the defense needing to rely on safety Jalen Ramsey to cover the slot. The addition of Flowers should provide much-needed support, as he has played in 97 games throughout his career. His experience in covering tight ends will be especially valuable as the Steelers prepare to face teams like the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens, who possess strong receiving threats at the tight end position.
Overall, the acquisition of Tre Flowers represents a strategic move by the Steelers to address their current defensive needs and enhance their preparation for the final stretch of the season.