:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66558273/1206313060.jpg.0.jpg)
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been busy the past week. First, they signed four players to new deals via trade or free agency. After the dust settled form those moves the Steelers have now begun to dig into the XFL ranks to add some depth to their roster at different positions.
As of last night, as reported by Dave Schofield here at BTSC, the team added the XFL’s sack leader and an offensive tackle to their roster, but they weren’t done there. According to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor the team also added Tyree Kinnel, safety from the DC Defenders.
Steelers add a third XFL player today, this time safety Tyree Kinnel from the DC Defenders. https://t.co/hbGcHO8MTX
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) March 26, 2020
The XFL decided to cancel their season due to the coronavirus, but did give players permission to sign with any NFL team with the conclusion of their season. It should be noted most of these players won’t be officially signing anytime soon.
This per Field Yates of ESPN:
As the number of XFL players finding NFL teams grows, one note to pass along: many of them will not officially sign with their NFL teams until close to the draft. They will continued to be paid until then by the XFL as part of the league honoring their contracts.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 25, 2020
As for the prospect the Steelers signed, Tyree Kinnel had 17 total tackles in the shortened XFL season. After a Michigan career during which he had 170 tackles, two interceptions and one sack, Kinnel signed with the Bengals as a undrafted free agent in 2019 but was cut after training camp.
General Manager Kevin Colbert expected some of these signings at the NFL Scouting Combine, “The XFL has taken some of the guys we would have signed as futures [contracts],” Colbert said prior to the NFL scouting combine. “We’ll have to do more work on undrafted guys because of that. Traditionally, we sign about 15, but we might have to sign 20-22.”
”We got an initial feel for that group, and we’ll continue to monitor those teams throughout the season.”
Stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black-and-gold as they prepare for the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft in late April.