The Pittsburgh Steelers and Omar Khan are still making moves on trade deadline day aside from dealing wide receiver, Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears. The team went out and got help in the secondary, trading for Washington Commanders cornerback, William Jackson III. The Commanders were expected to release him if they couldn't find a trade partner, but the former first round pick is landing in Pittsburgh, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Sources: The #Steelers aren’t done. They are finalizing a trade for #Commanders CB Will Jackson III, some help for their defense. pic.twitter.com/6jFL0OkXCB
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 1, 2022
The organizations are apparently swapping late round future picks and it is a deal that seems to work for both sides. The Steelers get help in their beat up and unproductive secondary while Washington moves on from a player who simply wasn't a good fit. It has been a busy day for the franchise thus far and Khan might not be done as he tries to make moves to help the current roster while also planning for the future.
Omar Khan is introduced as the Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager at a press conference at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Friday, May 27, 2022 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers)
Jackson III spent the first four years of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals and the last two with the Commanders. During the 2021 offseason, he signed a three-year, $42 million contract with Washington. The details have been released by Spotrac:
The #Steelers will get a $3.1M look at William Jackson for the remainder of 2022.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) November 1, 2022
They then hold a $12.75M "option" for 2023 with which they'll have to decide on by March 17th, when a $2.5M roster bonus is due. https://t.co/Q90Yrd8b31
His cap hit was roughly $13.8 million this year and $15.75 in 2023. He has struggled with a PFF grade of 49.6, but it was evident he didn't fit in Washington's system.
If fans remember, Jackson III was a top target for Kevin Colbert in 2016's draft, but the Bengals selected him just one pick prior. He ends up finding his way into the Steelers organization regardless, just six years later. The franchise selected future bust, Artie Burns instead.
He has 51 career passes defended and five total interceptions. We will continue to update this situation as more information comes out, but as of now Pittsburgh has found themselves a promising cornerback at what seems to be a reasonable cost.
Do you like Khan's move to trade for Jackson III? Let us know in the comments below!
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