The Pittsburgh Steelers surprisingly didn’t acquire any players at the NFL trade deadline. But the team has continued to improve its roster in other ways. On Wednesday, the team signed defensive lineman Brodric Martin.
NFL insider Aaron Wilson reported the transaction on X. Martin was previously a member of the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad.
Per NFL rules, teams can sign any practice squad player as long as they add them immediately to the 53-man active roster.
The Detroit Lions selected Martin at No. 96 overall during the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He spent two seasons with the Lions. From 2023-24, Martin played in five regular season games, posting four combined tackles.
The Lions waived Martin prior to the 2025 regular season. The Chiefs signed him to their first practice squad in 2025.
While Kansas City activated Martin for Week 4, Martin didn’t appear on the field during a game for the Chiefs.
Steelers Sign Brodric Martin From Chiefs Practice Squad
Wide receiver was a popular rumored target for the Steelers before the NFL trade deadline. During October when the team’s defense struggled, cornerback seemingly became another position of need.
But defensive line was an underrated need as well. While the Steelers shut down Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts running attack during Week 9, the team previously allowed the league’s worst running game from the Cincinnati Bengals to rack up 142 rushing yards during Week 7.
Adding Martin isn’t a major splash. But he will help provide the Steelers extra defensive line depth.
Veteran captain Cameron Heyward along with youngsters Keeanu Benton and Derrick Harmon are Pittsburgh’s starting defensive linemen. Martin will join the team’s defensive line rotation, which also includes fifth-round rookie Yahya Black, DeMarvin Leal, Logan Lee and Esezi Otomewo.
Martin played 25 defensive snaps for the Lions last season. He also lined up for 28 snaps on defense for Detroit during 2023.
Martin doesn’t have any special teams experience at the NFL level.
Steelers Scouted Martin During 2023 Draft Process
Mike Tomlin and his coaching staff are previously familiar with Martin from the draft process two and a half years ago.
Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora wrote Wednesday that Steelers defensive line coach Karl Dunbar attended Martin’s Pro Day at Western Kentucky. Kozora highlighted Martin for his “rare size and presence” along with his “strong upper body and energetic pass rush.”
“Overall, Martin is an easy player to like, and his tape was pretty fun,” Kozora wrote in the defensive lineman’s 2023 draft profile. “He can stuff the run, but he’s not a one-note guy. There’s some energy and pass rush juice, even if he’s gotta work on using his hands and developing his move.
“There aren’t many guys of Martin’s body type to compare to in the modern NFL, but I’ll land on Jordan Phillips with a ceiling of a Michael Brockers type.”
Obviously, Martin has underachieved based on his draft position. But he still has potential at only 26 years old.
Along the defensive line, the Steelers probably need the most help in run defense. Pittsburgh will enter Week 10 ranked 14th in run defense.
But if Martin begins scratching the surface on his potential, he could contribute as a pass rusher as well.
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