PITTSBURGH -- Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback C.J. Henderson, a 2020 first-round pick, is reeling after his hopes of returning to the Steel City were dashed, sources told ESPN on May 4, 2025. The 26-year-old free agent’s path back was blocked by the team’s draft selection and coaching decisions.
Henderson, who joined the Steelers mid-2024 after stints with Carolina and Houston, played five games, recording 3 tackles and a 58.7 PFF grade. His role was limited to special teams, and he became a free agent after the season, eyeing a Pittsburgh reunion.
The Steelers’ draft pick of Donte Kent, a speedy cornerback from Central Michigan (Round 7, 229th overall), signaled the end of Henderson’s chances. Kent’s sub-4.4 40-yard dash and punt return skills fit Teryl Austin’s system, while Henderson’s lackluster coverage made him expendable.
“I thought I had a shot,” Henderson told associates, per a source. “It’s not my play—it’s Tomlin’s fault.” The cornerback reportedly believes Mike Tomlin’s coaching style stifled his growth, blaming the coach for favoring veterans like Stephon Gilmore and Mike Hilton.
Pittsburgh’s secondary, ranked 19th in pass defense (223.4 yards per game) in 2024, has been revamped with Gilmore, Hilton, and Joey Porter Jr.. Kent’s arrival, alongside Beanie Bishop Jr., fills the depth chart, leaving no room for Henderson’s $10 million price tag.
Henderson’s frustration spilled over on X, where he posted, “Some coaches hold you back, not lift you up.” Fans fired back, with one writing, “C.J. flopped, and now he’s blaming Tomlin? Weak.” Others defended Tomlin’s 18-year non-losing streak and Super Bowl XLIII ring.
The Steelers’ offseason moves—signing Za’Darius Smith, C.J. Mosley, and drafting Derrick Harmon—show a win-now mentality. Henderson, with a career 60.1 PFF grade, doesn’t align with their vision, especially after allowing 68.3% completion in coverage last season.
As Henderson searches for a new team, his Pittsburgh dreams are over. Tomlin, unfazed, is focused on OTAs, where Kent’s speed could shine. For Steelers Nation, Henderson’s gripes are a footnote in a season brimming with Super Bowl hopes.
