The start of the NFL negotiation period was an exhausting day for Pittsburgh Steelers fans. After sitting on the edge of our seats to see how the quarterback situation would play out, the Seattle Seahawks swooped in to snag free agent Sam Darnold while Justin Fields inked a deal with the New York Jets.
The Steelers saw more outgoing players than incoming free agents on the first day of contract negotiations, as Larry Ogunjobi was released while Dan Moore Jr. signed a lucrative contract with the Tennessee Titans.
Among the departures was former Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson. The veteran was acquired in the Diontae Johnson trade during the 2024 offseason, and his tenure in Pittsburgh ends after just one season. In 2024, Jackson recorded five interceptions in 15 games while tallying eight passes defended.
On Monday, Jackson inked a two-year, $13 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, Ian Rapoport reports. But Steelers fans aren't about to lose their composure over his departure from the team.
Pittsburgh Steelers upgraded at cornerback in free agency by swapping Donte Jackson for Darius Slay
Despite coming off a five-interception season, Donte Jackson wasn't as impressive as his raw numbers would suggest. The veteran cornerback struggled with consistency both in pass coverage and as a run defender. As a result, Jackson earned a 49.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus—good for 196th out of 223 NFL cornerbacks in 2024.
As one cornerback exits, a new CB joins the roster.
Darius Slay and the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to terms on contract language that will bring Slay to the Steel City. Though the Steelers technically got older at the position, Slay is coming off a strong season with the Eagles and he still believes he has something to offer.
Slay is expected to start opposite Joey Porter Jr. in Pittsburgh's secondary. The six-time Pro Bowl cornerback did not record an interception last season, but he was part of an Eagles secondary that displayed lockdown coverage last season.
Slay's age is admittedly a concern. The long-time starting cornerback is 34 years old, and history suggests the wheels could fall off at any given moment. Still, this is a low-risk signing with a potentially high reward. The Steelers will still need to address the cornerback position in the NFL Draft.
It's not surprising to see another team snag Donte Jackson away from Pittsburgh in free agency after a five-pick season, but Steelers fans won't shed a tear over his departure from the team. They are better off with their latest CB addition.