For the third time in the last four years, the Pittsburgh Steelers season ended with a loss on wild card weekend. This season looked very similar to many previous seasons for Steelers fans as although they managed to make the playoffs after going 10-7 in the regular season and securing the seventh seed in the AFC playoffs they didn't have enough talent to compete with the top teams in the AFC as they were eliminated after a 31-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Heading into the offseason one of the biggest needs for the Steelers to fill is at cornerback. Joey Porter Jr. who had a strong rookie year after being drafted 32nd overall in the 2023 NFL draft projects very well to be a key starter in Pittsburgh for years to come, but they still need an answer across from him.
With this year's free-agent cornerback class being a pretty strong one, the Steelers could look to sign any of these five cornerbacks.
Jaylon Johnson, Bears
Age: 28 Spotrac Projection: 5 Years, $78.7 Million
The Steelers are not known for spending top dollar to bring in free agents from other teams, so bringing in a player like Jaylon Johnson would be surprising, but still something to consider.
Johnson was one of the top cornerbacks in football this season as he was named an AP second-team All-Pro after allowing just 195 yards and intercepting four passes in 14 games. Adding Johnson would turn the Steelers secondary from a unit lacking depth to potentially one of the best in the league.
L'Jarius Sneed, Chiefs
Age: 26 Spotrac Projection: 4 Years, $47.4 Million
After being drafted in the fourth round out of Louisiana Tech, Sneed has been a starter in each of the last four seasons for Kansas City. Sneed has steadily improved every year in his career and is now a very important component of one of the league's best defenses.
While Sneed may land a bigger contract than his current contract projection by Spotrac he isn't someone that would break the bank to bring in and would provide a major upgrade to the Steelers cornerback room.
Kendall Fuller, Commanders
Age: 28 Spotrac Projection: 3 Years, $42.3 Million
Kendall Fuller is one of the top free-agent cornerbacks this offseason as he has put out many seasons of good production in the NFL playing in the slot and in the boundary. Next year will be Fuller's ninth season in the NFL, but he's playing at a high enough level to warrant a three or four-year deal at around $15 per year.
Stephon Gilmore, Cowboys
Age: 33 Spotrac Projection: 1 Year, $11.2 Million
Stephon Gilmore has had a Hall of Fame level career as he has made the Pro Bowl five times, been named first-team All-Pro twice, won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2019, and won a Super Bowl with the Patriots. Although he's 33 years old, he showed this season that he still has enough juice to warrant another short-term contract.
Signing Gilmore would be similar to what the Steelers did last offseason when they brought in Patrick Peterson.
Sean Murphy-Bunting, Titans
Age: 26 Spotrac Projection: 2 Years, $13.5 Million
Sean Murphy-Bunting has been a starting corner in the NFL for five seasons with experience covering from the slot and outside. He spent four years with the Buccaneers where he was an important piece on their Super Bowl-winning 2020 defense recording four interceptions before signing a one-year, $3.5 Million deal with the Titans last offseason.
If the Steelers are looking for a corner with solid starting experience who is more affordable than the first four options Murphy-Bunting is a good option.