We round out our outlook at every positional group for the offseason with the defensive backs. It looked like a strength of the defense early on, but both the cornerback room and safety group struggled down the stretch. Changes could be made, and some shocking moves could be in line for the group as a whole in 2025.
Some constants that aren’t at risk are safety DeShonn Elliott and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. Elliott has been one of the bright spots in the secondary and was arguably the best free-agent addition from last year. Porter had his ups and downs, but we can still safely pencil him in as the top cornerback moving forward.
This leaves a lot of questions that will have to be answered. Does Minkah Fitzpatrick remain at his current salary (and with his declined play)? Does Donte Jackson get a new deal or does he walk? What happens in the slot? Here is my ranking of the eight most realistic moves the Steelers can make in the secondary.
8. Steelers cut Minkah Fitzpatrick, add a rookie
I’ll be honest when I say that cutting Fitzpatrick is on the table for me this offseason. While he hasn’t been a bad player, his lack of splash and fall-off in coverage has made him more of an above-average safety, not a great one. Considering the market for safeties has come down in recent years, cutting Fitzpatrick makes sense.
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That said, cutting Fitzpatrick with the intention of replacing him with a rookie is nonsensical. You would need to use a top pick on a replacement, and this safety class doesn’t have a ton of great free safety options. Cutting Fitzpatrick is on the table, but his replacement shouldn’t come in the draft if this is the route taken.
7. Steelers lose Donte Jackson, replace him with a free agent
The other big choice that the Steelers will have to make is with Jackson at cornerback. He was added last year via trade and proved to be a fine second option, even if his play faltered down the stretch. While I think it is more than likely that he will return, there is a good argument to be made that he should be allowed to leave.
If Pittsburgh decides to let him walk, going after another free agent makes little sense. This class doesn’t have a lot of great names in it, and anyone you feel like paying to handle the second cornerback role is at a similar level to what Jackson provides. If you decide that he isn’t in your future plans, looking elsewhere for a replacement has to be the plan.
6. Steelers add a rookie slot defender
Let’s not forget about the slot. The Steelers added Beanie Bishop as an undrafted free agent last season and gave him the keys to the starting gig. Once Cameron Sutton returned from suspension, he mostly replaced Bishop. Neither were great, and Sutton is not likely to return. You can bank on Bishop developing, or you can add a viable starter elsewhere.
If they decide to try and invest in a better option, the draft seems like the worse option. To get a clear upgrade over Bishop, you will need to use a top-three pick, and given the other needs on this roster, those could be better spent elsewhere. Given the team’s lack of interest in investing in that position, I find this option extremely unlikely.
5. Steelers lose Jackson, add a rookie
The top five all seem like viable options for the secondary. That said, the least likely of these options involves letting Jackson go in favor of a rookie. Like most of the other rookie issues, depending on one in year one means you need a high investment in them. Cornerbacks also tend to take some time to develop, so not having a capable option in front of him seems risky.
The cornerback depth in the draft class is good, but it lacks some top-end names. This means that you can find a value option later in the draft as opposed to drafting someone early and hoping they can start. It could happen, but it gives the Steelers a trio of young cornerbacks with only one certain starter. There are smarter ways to go about this.
4. Steelers run it back as is
No one would love this option, but it is squarely on the table considering all of the needs elsewhere on the roster. The team values stability, and they would have that in returning this group of starters. That means Fitzpatrick returns at his lofty salary and Jackson is brought back to be the second cornerback while Bishop becomes the full-time slot defender.
Considering the cracks this group showed down the stretch, this would be less than ideal. It would signal the team's loyalty to Fitzpatrick as well as their desire to continue developing Cory Trice. While Bishop deserves competition, the team has shown a lack of care about the slot in recent years, so it isn’t unthinkable that they just give him the job.
3. Steelers cut Minkah Fitzpatrick, add a free agent
I really don’t think Fitzpatrick’s job is that safe this year. He is the third highest-paid safety in the league, and his play hasn’t been deserving of that over the past two years. The veteran market doesn’t have the surplus of options from recent years, but there are a few names that should be cheaper than Fitzpatrick and can still start at free safety.
Justin Ried sticks out as the top name, and while he will command a bigger contract, it shouldn’t be close to Fitzpatrick’s current deal. Jevon Holland, Andre Cisco, and Camryn Bynum are coming off rookie deals and are all viable starters. There are a lot of options here, and I won’t be shocked to see the team clear some cap space by moving on from Fitzpatrick.
2. Steelers add a veteran slot defender
If the team opts to push or replace Bishop in the slot, a free agent makes the most sense. There are a slew of capable names that make sense and shouldn’t break the bank. Avonte Maddox and Jourdan Lewis are both experienced veterans who would be plug-and-play starters in the slot for a fair price.
Perhaps what makes the most sense is a reunion with Mike Hilton. His coverage has fallen off with him getting older, but he is still a great physical presence as a run defender and blitzer. If the team determines that a new slot cornerback is needed, going the free agent route makes the most sense for an immediate impact.
1. Steelers bing Donte Jackson back, add an early cornerback
The most likely route for this room, while the argument can be made for some sweeping changes, I’m not sure it happens. That said, I think adding a cornerback with an early draft pick while still bringing back Jackson makes sense. He can start while the rookie learns the ropes, and if Jackson really falls off, you have a potential replacement.
For all of you Trice fans, this won't close the door on him either. It just provides the team with more depth and options. Jackson has control of the top spot until his play proves otherwise, and the team has some options for the future to work with. Take advantage of the depth at cornerback in this draft class and get someone worth developing.