The Pittsburgh Steelers wasted no time bolstering their roster, swooping in to sign defensive end K.J. Henry mere days after the Philadelphia Eagles cut him loose following a stunning upset loss to the New York Giants. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that the Steelers brought Henry in for a workout and promptly signed the 26-year-old, marking his third team this season alone. For a player who’s already hoisted a Super Bowl LIX ring with the Eagles, Henry’s whirlwind journey through the NFL is a testament to his resilience and raw potential.
Henry’s career has been anything but predictable. Drafted in the fifth round by the Washington Commanders in 2023, the young defensive end spent his rookie season with the team before being cut just before the 2024 season. The Cincinnati Bengals claimed him off waivers, but his stint there was brief, appearing in just two games with minimal impact. The Dallas Cowboys were next, signing him off Cincinnati’s practice squad for a two-game cameo as a backup before releasing him in November 2024.
The Eagles picked him up later that month, and though his time on the field was limited, Henry was part of the roster that clinched a thrilling Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. However, his tenure in Philly was short-lived. After a brief practice squad stint with the Cleveland Browns in July 2025, followed by a one-day return to the Eagles’ practice squad, Henry found himself back on the market—until Pittsburgh pounced.
In 14 career games, with three starts, Henry has racked up 22 tackles and 2.5 sacks. While the numbers may not scream superstar, his versatility and experience make him an intriguing addition to a Steelers squad hungry for depth on the defensive line.
The Steelers, sitting pretty at 3-1, are off to a roaring start this season and are clearly looking to maintain their momentum. Henry joins a team with a storied legacy and a fanbase known for its unrelenting passion. If he can carve out a role, he’ll have the chance to shine in front of one of the NFL’s most electric crowds at Acrisure Stadium.
The move comes at a time when Steelers Nation is still buzzing about their former quarterback, Russell Wilson, who faced a brutal homecoming in a Giants jersey against the Eagles. Wilson, now with New York, endured a rough outing—managing just one handoff and a low incompletion before being yanked to a chorus of boos from the MetLife Stadium crowd. The moment struck a chord with Steelers fans, who took to social media to share their mixed feelings about seeing their former signal-caller struggle.
“Not gonna lie, I hate this for him,” one fan posted on X. “He should’ve hung it up before he even came to us.” Another chimed in, “After that first season in Denver, it was time to walk away.” Yet, amidst the criticism, there was empathy too: “He’s a bit corny, sure, but he’s a good guy. He’s had an amazing career. Watching him get booed like that sucked.”
For Henry, Pittsburgh represents a fresh opportunity to prove himself. The Steelers’ defense, long a cornerstone of the franchise, thrives on relentless energy and physicality—qualities Henry has shown flashes of throughout his young career. With a passionate fanbase ready to embrace him, the stage is set for Henry to make his mark.
As the Steelers continue their push for playoff contention, all eyes will be on whether Henry can channel his Super Bowl experience and raw athleticism into a breakout moment in black and gold. In a city that lives and breathes football, one thing is certain: if K.J. Henry seizes this chance, Steeler Nation will be behind him every step of the way.