The Pittsburgh Steelers have been aggressive this offseason, understanding the importance of the upcoming 2025 campaign.
With a reloaded quarterback room and fresh leadership on offense, the front office turned its attention to the secondary — an area that needed depth and playmaking ability.
In March, Pittsburgh made a splash by signing veteran cornerback Darius Slay to a one-year, $10 million deal. At the time, the move was met with cautious optimism. Now, it’s starting to feel like a missed opportunity.
Especially with Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander heading to a division rival.
Alexander signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens worth $4 million, with incentives that could increase to $6 million. For a player of his caliber, that’s an absolute steal.
One that could haunt Pittsburgh for seasons to come.
There’s no denying Darius Slay’s resume is impressive. A Super Bowl champion, six-time Pro Bowler, and former All-Pro, Slay has carved out a stellar career.
He’s also entering his 13th season and turns 34 years old. While he brings leadership and experience, it’s fair to question how much gas he has left in the tank.
The Pittsburgh Steelers should've signed Jaire Alexander instead of Darius Slay
Jaire Alexander, on the other hand, is just 28 years old and still very much in his prime. A two-time Pro Bowler with elite coverage ability, Alexander has tallied 12 interceptions in just 78 games — a rate that puts him on pace to surpass Slay’s 28 career picks (accumulated over 177 games).
That kind of trajectory, paired with his youth and explosiveness, makes it tough to understand how the Steelers let him slip away — especially to the rival Ravens.
Pittsburgh needed a dynamic playmaker to pair with rising star Joey Porter Jr. Slay might be capable in the short term, but Alexander would have offered both immediate impact and long-term value.
His physical style, swagger, and upside felt like a natural fit for the Steelers' defense — yet it’s Baltimore who pulled the trigger.
Now, Pittsburgh will face a motivated Jaire Alexander twice this season. If he shines in purple and black, it will only amplify the criticism of the Steelers’ decision to invest heavily in a veteran nearing the end of his career.
Here’s hoping Slay proves he was worth the price — because if not, this could be one move Pittsburgh regrets.