Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed offensive tackle Julian Pearl, the team announced on Monday afternoon.
Pearl, who’s in his second-year as a pro, was last with the Cleveland Browns. He tried out for the Steelers last week, and was on his way to another when he got a call from his agent and re-routed to Pittsburgh.
Pearl signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft. He was also selected by the Michigan Panthers as the sixth overall selection in the 2024 UFL draft on July 17.
After being waived by the Ravens in late August, Pearl was signed to the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad on Oct. 29. He was released a month later.
Pearl then signed with the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad on Dec. 10. He signed a reserve/future contract with Cleveland in January, and remained with the team until being waived on Aug. 4.
The #Steelers have signed offensive tackle Julian Pearl. Second-year pro, was last with the Browns.
He tried out for the team last week, and was on his way to another today when he got a call from his agent and re-routed to Pittsburgh.
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) August 18, 2025
Pearl, who stands at 6-foot-6, 315 pounds, played six years at the University of Illinois. He was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (coaches and media) in his senior year in 2023. He started all 12 games at left tackle that season. He made 23 consecutive starts at left tackle since missing a game at Indiana on Sept. 2, 2022. In 2023, he was named Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten second team and Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten third team.
Rookie offensive tackle was evaluated for a concussion in Saturday night’s preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Steelers have also been without backup tackle Calvin Anderson, who has been out with a lower-body soft tissue injury.
For depth, the Steelers also signed veteran offensive lineman Andrus Peat on Aug. 7.
Peat, 31, is a 10-year NFL vet. The first-round pick of the New Orleans Saints out of Stanford in 2015, he spent nine seasons in New Orleans. Peat played left tackle and left guard for the Saints and started 102 games out of 111 games played in New Orleans.
Alan Saunders provided reporting for this story.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Sign Former Browns Offensive Tackle
