The NFL Trade Deadline has officially come and gone on Tuesday. The Steelers were making phone calls and Omar Khan was reportedly active leading up to the trade finish. Nothing materialized into a completed deal once it was all said and done. Not for the lack of trying, but the price for some of the players available were expensive.
A couple of big names were sent on the move via trade like Montez Sweat and Chase Young, both formerly of the Washington Commanders. Sweat was sent to the Chicago Bears while Young was traded to the San Francisco 49ers. Most of the top teams in the AFC stayed with the rosters they hold, and that was also the case for Pittsburgh.
Other than that, a handful of names that were on the trade block and expected to be moved never got a deal done. Some big names like Derrick Henry, Jerry Jeudy, and Brian Burns were some of the well-known names that never saw a trade come their way. Rebuilding teams decided to take the gamble of holding onto their star players with the hope of turning things around or extending the player.
Steelers could still sign Jaylon Johnson in free agency after missing out on a trade
One of the biggest rumors surrounding the Steelers leading up to the trade deadline was their interest in Jaylon Johnson. It was first mentioned that the club would have interest in the star cornerback of the Bears once he becomes a free agent this upcoming offseason. Those rumors only intensified after Johnson and the Bears stopped contract talks after failed negotiations.
Those failed talks then led to Johnson asking and getting permission from Chicago to seek a trade. He would come with a probable contract extension that would require a hefty raise. The Bears wanted a second-round pick, but Khan did not seem privy to that price. They held steady with their offer and tried to acquire Johnson.
That did not conclude in a trade with the Bears and the Steelers still have an issue at cornerback on the opposite side of Joey Porter Jr. Not all hope is lost as Johnson will become a free agent after this season, barring any contract that could be rectified with Chicago. The Steelers will be interested again as they seem focused on adding a corner that is the caliber of Johnson.
He would come with a hefty contract, but he would secure a solid two cornerback defense that this team has been missing since Joe Haden and Steven Nelson played for the club. Expect Pittsburgh to have another busy offseason ahead no matter the outcome of the remaining season ahead. Johnson would be a nice fit with the Steelers, and he will be a top free agency target.