Steelers Re-Sign Wide Receiver for Third Stint with Team

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed wide receiver Jacob Copeland, the team announced on Friday. The Steelers had Copeland on their practice squad for two short stints in 2023. Copeland, 24, is a 5-foot-11, 201-pound wide receiver in his second professional season out of Maryland.

He signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent last spring, but was waived at the start of training camp on Aug. 2. He then signed with the Minnesota Vikings, but was released on cut-down day on Aug. 29.

Copeland first joined the Steelers practice squad on Sept. 12, and remained there through Oct. 3. He then came back to the practice squad on Nov. 28 and was released on Dec. 4. He then signed a future contract with Kansas City for 2024 in January, but was released on May 4.

At Maryland, Copeland had modest production in his one season, catching 26 passes for 376 yards and two touchdowns in 2022. Before transferring to the Terps, he spent four seasons at Florida. His best year with the Gators was in 2021, when he caught 41 passes for 642 yards and four touchdowns.

The Steelers scouted Copeland in the pre-draft process at the East-West Shrine Bowl and his Maryland pro day, where he turned in an excellent Relative Athletic Score of 8.19, showing excellent straight-line speed (4.42-second 40-yard dash) and explosiveness (10-foot-7 broad jump) but below-average agility (4.47-second short shuttle).

Copeland replaces Denzel Mims on the Steelers’ 90-man offseason roster. Mims was released for unknown reasons earlier this week and his since signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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