Behind the Steel Curtain
The Steelers waived rookie wide receiver Ke’Shawn Williams on Monday to make room for Marquez Valdes-Scantling on Pittsburgh’s 53-man roster.
Now, Williams is headed to one of the Steelers’ biggest rivals.
The Cincinnati Bengals claimed Williams on Tuesday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported. Williams will now join the Bengals’ 53-man roster.
Williams signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent out of Indiana following the 2025 NFL Draft. He made the Steelers’ initial practice squad was eventually added to the roster, appearing in eight games. He primarily saw action on special teams, returning 11 punts and 18 kickoffs, with respective averages of 10.2 yards and 23.6.
Pittsburgh kept an open spot on its practice squad following Williams’ release, and might’ve been hoping to re-sign him once he cleared waivers.
Williams now joins one of the deepest wide receiver rooms in the NFL behind Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Andrei Iosivas. The Bengals, currently 4-10, are third in the AFC North. They face the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
