New Steelers Cornerback Desmond King Is Overjoyed To Join Team "Dreams Come True"

The Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 roster does not have many holes on paper. Omar Khan and Andy Weidl have remade the roster with one draft and one free agency period. The dynamic duo has changed how the Steelers approach older free agents by bringing in future Hall of Fame cornerback, Patrick Peterson and trading for former Pro Bowl wide receiver, Allen Robinson. Two older players that the previous regime would have avoided targeting.

The Steelers cut down to 53 players on the active roster on Tuesday. Curiously, the Steelers kept Pressley Harvin III and Braden Mann on the roster. A rumor of a potential trade with the Philadelphia Eagles circulated with the possible return of rookie undrafted free agent Eli Ricks. Khan and Weidl did not wait long for the trade to come to fruition. The Houston Texans' decision to release Desmond King, a 28-year-old former All-Pro cornerback, was too good to pass up for a potential trade that may or may not have happened.

King became an All-Pro after the 2018 season with a career-high three interceptions in his second NFL season. During his All-Pro season, when he was with the then-San Diego Chargers, King made a significant impression on Mike Tomlin. He returned a punt for a touchdown and posted nine tackles to help the Chargers beat the Steelers 33-30. More than any other coach in the NFL, Tomlin files away big performances against his team for future use in evaluating potential targets in free agency.

Players who do not make the final cut are often happy to be picked up by any team willing to give them a second chance. In King’s case, he is positively overjoyed to be in Pittsburgh. He has been excitedly gushing on social media about his opportunity to wear black and gold.

Former Steelers Killer Fred Taylor Wanted To Play For Mike Tomlin After Leaving Jacksonville

King's attitude reflects something Fred Taylor intimated on the Pivot Podcast when they sat down with Tomlin last year. Veteran players like Taylor, King, Peterson, and Robinson want to play in Pittsburgh for Coach Tomlin. Khan's lightning speed of identifying a player who can help the current roster and Tomlin's presence were instrumental in getting the best available cornerback option. 

King is an experienced slot and outside cornerback who will wear number 25 in Pittsburgh. He adds quality depth behind Peterson, Levi Wallace, and rookie Joey Porter Jr. Once acclimated; he will probably be the top slot cornerback option on the roster if Peterson struggles to transition early in the season.

The Steelers lost promising rookie Cory Trice Jr. on the first day in pads in training camp. Chandon Sullivan was listed as the number one slot cornerback on CBS Sports' projected depth chart for the Steelers before the acquisition of King. Sullivan will likely give way to King quickly if you put significant stock in Pro Football Focus grades. King was the 20th-ranked cornerback in 2022 compared to Sullivan, who ranked 96th. 

Khan's genius is becoming undisputed at this point, and he is getting a ton of credit, deservedly. A significant group of social media critics have assigned the blame for the extended list of roster and draft mistakes from 2016-2021 to Tomlin instead of Kevin Colbert. No matter who is ultimately responsible for stealing King off the waiver wire, it doesn't change a significant fact. It was the best available move for the 2023 Steelers roster, and King, the fan base, and the organization are ecstatic with the move. 

What do you think, Steeler Nation? Are you excited at the prospect of King taking over the slot cornerback position? Let me know what you think. Please comment below or on my Twitter / X: @thebubbasq. 

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