Steelers Sign Former Patriots TE Before OTAs

The Pittsburgh Steelers added a promising tight end to the team.

May 11, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Jaheim Bell (88) works out at the New England Patriots rookie camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't done making roster moves at this point of the year, as they look to add where the see best and bring in talent they hope contributes for them in 2026.

The Steelers announced that they signed tight end Jaheim Bell to a one-year contract on May 4, who they had signed to the practice squad back on Dec. 31, 2025.

Bell didn't play in 2025, but was also on the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad, where he signed for on Oct. 15, but then they released him less than a week later on Oct. 21.

The Steelers let Bell hit free agency after the season ended, but bring him back to give him another chance this time around.

Background on Jaheim Bell

The New England Patriots took Bell with the 231st overall pick in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He played in 15 games for them as a rookie in 2024, making two catches for 20 yards.

New England released him on Aug. 22, 2025, which then saw him spend time with the Eagles and Steelers last season.

Jun 12, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Jaheim Bell (88) makes a catch at minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images | Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Bell spent his last season in college with Florida State, playing in 13 games, and setting career-highs in both 39 catches for 503 yards, with two receiving touchdowns and a rushing touchdown.

The Seminoles had a great season in 2023, finishing 13-0 and as ACC Champions, but controversially missed out on the College Football Playoff, with Bell third on the team in receptions and receiving yards.

Bell had spent his first three seasons in college with South Carolina from 2020-22, where he finished with 56 catches for 757 yards, 13.5 yards per catch, and seven receiving touchdowns in 30 games.

His best season as a receiver was as a redshirt freshman in 2021, where he had 30 catches for 497 yards and a career-high five touchdowns in 13 games.

South Carolina used Bell in the rushing attack as a redshirt sophomore in 2022, where he had 73 rushes for 261 yards and three touchdowns, but saw a reduction in his work in the passing game, with 25 catches for 231 yards and two touchdowns.

Bell finished his college career with 95 catches for 1,260 yards and nine touchdowns, plus 1,563 scrimmage yards.

He played for Valdosta High School in Valdosta, Ga., where he originally committed to Florida, before flipping to South Carolina as a part of the Class of 2020.

The Steelers will hope to get the best version of Bell this season and see him take advantage of opportunities given to him.

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