Calgary Stampeders head coach and general manager John Hufnagel is pleased to announce the signing of two import players — defensive lineman Brandon Johnson and defensive back Ryan Steed. As per team policy, terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

Johnson is a veteran of 89 National Football League games over six seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers. He was selected in the fifth round (142nd overall) by the Cardinals in the 2006 NFL draft and played two seasons with the Cardinals before joining the Bengals for four seasons (2008-11). Johnson signed with the Steelers in 2012.

Over the course of his NFL career, the University of Louisville product has accumulated 224 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions and one forced fumble. 

Steed was a two-time Southern Conference all-star at Furman University in Greenville, S.C., before signing with the NFL’s New York Jets as an unrestricted free agent in 2012. He joined the New Orleans Saints’ practice roster during the 2012 season and attended training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2013.

In four years at Furman, Steed amassed 180 tackles, 14 interceptions including three picks returned for scores, one sack, 24 passes defended, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and three blocked kicks.