Former Ex-Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Samuels is once again on the move after being released from the Ottawa Redblacks roster earlier this week.
The 28-year-old was cut as part of the team’s final wave of preseason moves, leaving him without a team heading into the heart of the CFL season.
A Long Road Back to Football
Samuels, who was taken in the fifth round (No. 165 overall) by the Steelers in the 2018 NFL Draft, had been trying to make his way back onto a competitive field after stops in both the XFL and UFL.
He spent three seasons with Pittsburgh, playing in 14 games each year and racking up 459 rushing yards on 131 carries with one touchdown. Though he never quite broke out as a full-time starter, he remained a solid contributor and a fan favorite during his time with the Black and Gold.
After leaving the Steelers in 2021, he signed with the Houston Texans before making a brief stop in Arizona with the Cardinals in 2022 — though he was released before the regular season kicked off.
The Journey Continues
In 2022, he found a home in the XFL with the Houston Roughnecks, and more recently, he was selected in the 2024 UFL Draft by the San Antonio Brahmas.
Still just 28 years old, Samuels clearly has plenty of football left in him. Now that he’s a free agent again, all eyes will be on where he lands next — whether it’s another shot in the CFL or a return to the UFL for the 2025 season.
The Ottawa Redblacks finished the 2024 campaign with a 9-8-1 record, placing third in the East Division before falling to the Toronto Argonauts in the East Semifinal.
At this point, it seems like Samuels is simply looking for another opportunity — and there’s no doubt someone will give him another shot.
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