The Pittsburgh Steelers are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of talent.
They’re even dipping into the UFL.
According to James Larsen of UFL Newsroom, the Steelers have signed defensive end Kenny Willekes.
“Willekes is coming off a tremendous UFL campaign in Michigan, with 31 tackles, 4 sacks and 28 QB pressures to his name. One of the UFL’s top edge rushers from 2024-2025,” Larsen wrote on X.
BREAKING: The Pittsburgh #Steelers are signing @USFLPanthers DE Kenny Willekes, per sources.
Willekes is coming off a tremendous #UFL campaign in Michigan; with 31 tackles, 4 sacks, & 28 QB pressures to his name.
One of the UFL’s top edge rushers from 2024-2025. #UFLtoNFL pic.twitter.com/QyGXahYXHd
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) August 19, 2025
This will be another opportunity for Willekes to succeed in the NFL.
The Minnesota Vikings took him in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
He failed to make their 53-man roster, but he got to stay on the practice squad and then played in six games in 2021.
He logged 18 combined tackles (11 solo), two tackles for loss, seven QB hits and 2.5 sacks.
The Vikings released him, and he signed with the Michigan Panthers.
His numbers in the UFL were much more impressive, with 31 tackles, 28 total pressures and four sacks in nine games this season.
Yet, he’s going to have a tough time making the 53-man roster for Pittsburgh.
The team is stacked on defense with pass rushers T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer all locked in on the roster.
Willekes will most likely have an opportunity to suit up and make a case for himself in the final preseason game, even if it’s just to secure a spot on the practice squad.
