Pittsburgh Steelers officially sign Mataeo Durant, Jordan Tucker and Jaylen Warren on Tuesday

The Pittsburgh Steelers added three new players to the roster on Tuesday according to the NFL wire.

Former Duke Blue Devils running back Mataeo Durant, North Carolina offensive linemen Jordan Tucker and Oklahoma State ball-carrier Jaylen Warren all inked contracts with the organization on Tuesday afternoon.

It’s clear Mike Tomlin and the offensive staff are looking for other running back options behind starter Najee Harris. Although Warren opened last season as the No. 3 option for Oklahoma State, he caught the eyes of the coaching staff with an impressive 218-yard performance early last season vs. Boise State. He closed out the 2021 campaign with 1,216 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns and will join Durant as they compete for a role on the 53-man roster.

The three new additions come in wake of the team parting ways with a trio of players earlier today.

The Pittsburgh Steelers cut cornerback Isaiah Johnson on Monday, according to NFL insider Dov Kleiman. Johnson was one of three players removed from the roster, as the Steelers also waived long snapper Rex Sunahara and linebacker Tegray Scales.

A former fourth-round pick out of Houston, Johnson spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders. He appeared in 19 games as a reserve over that span, totaling 15 tackles and five passes defended. He was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list in July of 2021 before ultimately being waived in August. 

Isaiah Johnson struggled to find a new landing spot, serving stints on the practice squads of the Cowboys, Steelers and Cardinals this past season. The Pittsburgh Steelers then signed the cornerback to a reserve/future contract in January, but have now decided it best to move on.

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kenny Pickett on Dan Marino comparisons

After Pittsburgh Panthers star quarterback Kenny Pickett came off the board in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, analysts jumped to compare him to another former Pitt first-rounder – Dan Marino. Pickett, however, was quick to tamp down the comparisons to the eight-time All-Pro.

Like with Pickett, the Pittsburgh Steelers had the opportunity to draft Marino when he hit the draft in 1983. The former Panthers legend slid in the draft and ended up with the Miami Dolphins.

“It’s special and I’m glad they didn’t pass on me,” Pickett said in his introductory press conference. “I’ve talked to Dan a bunch. I’m going to continue to talk to him and use him as a resource.”

The first-round rookie has shared that Marino’s influence was big on him in his time at Pitt.

“He’s a Pitt legend,” Pickett also said in February. “He’s a guy that when I showed up to Pitt, his name was on the wall, his picture was on the wall. My first recruiting trip to Pitt, they had a booth that was all Marino, with all of his gear when he was at Pitt and I have a picture with it. My Dad sent it to me near the end of the season.”

Kenny Pickett is coming off of a spectacular senior season in which he threw for 4,319 yards, 42 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. He’s excited to be staying close to his former program to play for the Steelers.

“It’s really special,” Pickett said. “I have a lot of friendships and I know a lot of people here obviously from playing at Pitt and being here for five years. The fact that I’m starting my pro career here is really special and I’m gonna be looking forward to building new relationships with everybody in the city.”