There was once a time that is was virtually unheard of for the Pittsburgh Steelers to sign in free agency a player that once left them. This was especially true of players that they had released, although Max Starks was a notable exception in 2011 under unusual circumstances.
But the pattern has changed in recent years, starting with the uncapped 2010 season, when they traded for Bryant McFadden, who spent one year with the Cardinals in 2009, as well as Byron Leftwich, who had also previously played for the Steelers.