Pittsburgh Steelers sign WR Jacob Copeland to one-year deal

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed receiver Jacob Copeland to a one-year deal, the team announced Friday.

Copeland, 24, spent time on Pittsburgh’s practice squad this past season. He originally signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent before being waived in August. Copeland then spent nearly a month with the Minnesota Vikings before again being waived before the start of the 2023 NFL season.

The Steelers signed him in September, released him the following month and then signed him again in November before releasing him one week later. The Kansas City Chiefs signed him to a reserve/futures contract in January and released him last month. He now finds himself back in Pittsburgh, still looking to make his NFL debut.

Prior to his NFL career, Copeland spent four years at Florida. In 39 games, he hauled in 86 receptions for 1,366 yards and nine touchdowns. He entered the Transfer Portal after the Gators’ Gasparilla Bowl defeat to UCF in 2021. Copeland chose to play his final collegiate season at Maryland, whom he suited up for 12 games during the 2022 campaign. He tallied 376 yards on 26 catches and two scores.

Where Jacob Copeland stands on Steelers’ depth chart

Copeland will have a tough time cracking the Steelers’ 53-man roster, as the franchise has a logjam at the receiver position. In addition to star wideout George Pickens, Pittsburgh has Roman Wilson, Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, Scotty Miller, Calvin Austin III and Marquez Callaway all in the mix.

New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said earlier this month he’s excited about the Steelers’ depth at the skill positions.

“We’ve got a lot of guys that can play multiple spots,” Smith said. “Whether it’s our tight ends or we have some receivers that give position flexibility. I really like the depth we’ve got up front right now. Obviously at the quarterback position, really the whole room is new. It gives you a lot of options. These guys, you know, have experience. Russ [Wilson] and Justin [Fields] and even Kyle [Allen] are guys who have played meaningful snaps in this league, so it’s been fun.”