On Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers will bring in another experienced linebacker, Blake Martinez, to their roster. After being signed off the Panthers’ practice squad, Martinez will join the Steelers as they continue to bolster their position.
Prior to joining the Steelers, Martinez had previously signed with the Panthers earlier in the month after coming out of retirement. He retired while playing for the Raiders in November 2022 to focus on a profitable Pokemon trading card business. However, he was banned from selling cards on a major online marketplace and returned to football.
Before his brief retirement, Martinez played in four games with the Raiders in 2022 and three games for the Giants in 2021 before tearing his ACL. Over the previous five seasons, he appeared in 77 games for the Packers and Giants and has amassed 706 tackles, 13 sacks, four interceptions, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries throughout his career. These signings demonstrate the Steelers’ commitment to strengthening their linebacker corps with experienced players.