PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania — The Pittsburgh Steelers have made one of their more intriguing late-summer moves, bringing in former Tennessee Titans safety Bishop Fitzgerald just days before the beginning of the 2026 NFL regular season.
Fitzgerald, a defensive back once viewed as a rising $25 million talent because of his college production and long-term upside, has officially joined Pittsburgh’s practice squad after being released by Tennessee.
For the Steelers, the move represents a low-risk opportunity to “rescue” a player whose football rise appeared to be gaining national attention before injuries and roster pressure disrupted his path.
Fitzgerald entered the NFL after completing a breakout final collegiate season at USC, where he established himself as one of the most productive safeties in the country.
Although he went undrafted, his résumé looked nothing like an ordinary rookie free agent.
During the 2025 season, Fitzgerald recorded five interceptions and became one of the most dangerous ballhawks in college football.
That production helped him earn First-Team All-American honors, confirming his place among the best defensive backs in the nation.
At that point, many scouts viewed Fitzgerald as a high-upside safety with the kind of instincts, toughness and playmaking ability that could eventually become extremely valuable at the NFL level.
His ball production, range and physical style made him the type of defensive back teams are constantly searching for in the modern game.
But his path to the NFL quickly became more complicated.
After signing with the Tennessee Titans, Fitzgerald entered training camp hoping to turn his college reputation into a permanent roster spot.
The opportunity was real, but the challenge was significant.
Tennessee had a crowded defensive back room, and every practice rep became critical for a young safety trying to prove he belonged on the final 53-man roster.
Then injuries and limited momentum began to slow the climb.
Fitzgerald was unable to fully separate himself during the most important stretch of roster evaluation, leaving Tennessee with a difficult decision as the deadline approached.
When the Titans finalized their roster, Fitzgerald was left on the outside.
The move was disappointing for a player who had recently been celebrated as a First-Team All-American and viewed as one of the more interesting young defensive backs entering the league.
For Tennessee, it was a numbers decision.
For Fitzgerald, it was a sudden interruption to a rise that had once looked ready to continue straight into the NFL.
But Pittsburgh did not allow the story to end there.
The Steelers quickly stepped in and signed Fitzgerald to their practice squad, giving the former USC standout a new opportunity to restart his professional career.
The move immediately drew attention because Pittsburgh has long valued defensive backs who can create turnovers, play with physical confidence and develop within a demanding defensive system.
Fitzgerald fits that mold.
His ability to locate the football and attack passing lanes gives the Steelers an intriguing developmental piece behind their active roster.
For Pittsburgh, this is not simply a depth move.
It is a calculated bet on a young safety whose value could grow quickly if he stays healthy, adapts to the system and proves that his college production was no accident.
The “$25 million” label reflects the kind of upside Fitzgerald was believed to carry before his early NFL path was disrupted.
Players with his ball skills, athletic profile and All-American résumé can become extremely valuable if they develop into reliable defensive contributors.
That is what makes this move so interesting for the Steelers.
They are not being asked to immediately place Fitzgerald into the starting lineup.
Instead, they can develop him patiently, allow him to learn the defense and wait for the right opportunity to elevate him.
For Fitzgerald, the practice squad may be exactly what he needs.
It gives him time to reset mentally, recover physically and rebuild the momentum that made him one of the most exciting safeties in college football.
His first NFL chapter with Tennessee ended sooner than expected.
But his second chance in Pittsburgh could become far more important.
The Steelers have taken a low-cost swing on a player with real long-term upside, while Fitzgerald now gets another chance to prove that his rise was only delayed, not destroyed.
If Bishop Fitzgerald can stay healthy and rediscover the form that made him a First-Team All-American in 2025, Pittsburgh may have quietly rescued a $25 million-caliber talent from Tennessee.
For the Steelers, it is another developmental gamble.
For Fitzgerald, it is a new life.
