1-on-1 with Jamel Dean - March 18, 2026

Jamel Dean talks to Missi Matthews about what it means to be a part of the Pittsburgh Steelers and more

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:11):
Welcome to Pittsburgh. First of all, why did this make
sense to become a Steeler?

Speaker 2 (00:15):
Then you know, for the most part, you know, the
culture here is built off of winning. And then you know,
I mean the point in my career where you know,
I want to increase my chance to win the Super Bowl.
So I feel like this atmosphere right here, in this
environment organization, they know what it takes to get there.

Speaker 1 (00:31):
You had a phenomenal season last year with Tampa Bay.
How do you build off of that going into a
new location?

Speaker 2 (00:37):
You know, you know, I just continue, like I'm honing
on my skills in the mental aspect of my game,
and then once I get familiar like the terminology that
they use here, and just apply that to like the
new terms.

Speaker 1 (00:48):
Do you consider yourself a bet now? Yes, you're saying that,
like you don't want to be a VET.

Speaker 2 (00:55):
I mean it just it's just facing the fact that
I am getting it up in age now, So yes,
I'm a VET.

Speaker 1 (01:01):
Now. Is there anything that you've learned throughout your career
that's something that you wish you knew maybe when you
were a rookie.

Speaker 2 (01:08):
Ah, you know, for the most part, was just like
the mental aspect of the game. You know, it took
a while for me to like for everything just to
like click that. It was like an aha moment, And
I wish I had that early in my career, but
I mean better late than never, right, Yeah.

Speaker 1 (01:24):
Yeah. What do you know about Joey Porter Jr.

Speaker 2 (01:27):
You know, for the most part, you know, he's another
tall corner. You know, I like his game and he's
physically the line of scrimmage. He has great technique, so
you know, I'd be like watching him for so far
and I appreciate how he plays the game.

Speaker 1 (01:38):
What words would you use to summarize the Steelers defense
as the roster as we said here.

Speaker 2 (01:42):
Today, physical and relentless.

Speaker 1 (01:45):
Was that enticing to you in terms of coming here? Oh?

Speaker 2 (01:48):
Definitely, because I feel like my play style. He kind
of like fix in with the coaches that they sat
on the defensive side of the football, well both sides
of the ball really.

Speaker 1 (01:56):
And do you know any other Steelers players or connections
to Pittsburgh.

Speaker 2 (02:01):
And Ela Stills player? I mean for most partly, so,
we had Larry Foot he was he was a coach
for was in.

Speaker 1 (02:06):
Tampa, right, Yeah, So what was he like as a coach?
We just know him as the player. Man.

Speaker 2 (02:12):
He's just the same guy, just always just talking trash
at any moment he can get. But he but he
a great guy, you know. You know, he really like
very religious and for the most part, you know, besides
him like joking around all that stuff, he's really a
good guy to talk to and just hang around and
pick his brain.

Speaker 1 (02:26):
Have you had a chance to meet anybody since coming
here on the coaching staff for players or anybody reached
out to you.

Speaker 2 (02:33):
Yeah, so I met coach McCarthy and I just and
I met coach Graham. You know, just just feeling just
feeling the energy. You know, it's feels very genuine here.

Speaker 1 (02:41):
Coach Graham told us he's not a morning person, but
he does bring that energy. Did you feel that when
you spoke to him, just how excited he is about
football and getting this thing started.

Speaker 2 (02:50):
Oh yeah, cauld we go back like before going into
my rookie year, so we already had like a you know,
an accounter with each other. You know, he'd been keeping
up with me for all these years, so he said,
you've been very proud of my career. So it feels
like it was like a good ball. We had.

Speaker 1 (03:03):
Lastly for you, what are you gonna do between now
and whatever the off season program starts here in Pittsburgh.

Speaker 2 (03:09):
Well, for the most part, I'm find it. Just start,
you know, getting myself back in shape. Make sure that
you know my technique is sound, Grant, it takes a while.
I want to expect my technique to just to maturally
just be good. But it's gonna take a couple of
it's gonna take some time, all.

Speaker 1 (03:21):
Right, perfect, thank you for your time.

Speaker 2 (03:23):
I appreciate you having me