REPORT - Steelers Now Named One Of Four Teams Set To Land Bears Cornerback Jaylon Johnson

It's now or never for the Pittsburgh Steelers to make a move to upgrade its roster. We are just hours away from the trade deadline, and cornerback seems to be the position that the front office is going after. Specifically, Jaylon Johnson of the Chicago Bears has been a name that's been most prevalent throughout Pittsburgh. He seems to be the most realistic option to get a deal done on Tuesday.

On Monday evening, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Johnson had officially requested a trade. Since then, the Steelers (and other cornerback needy teams) have popped up in rumors. On Tuesday morning, Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan has reported that the Steelers are frontrunners to land the talented defensive back.

Johnson was a second round pick back in the 2020 NFL Draft, just one selection after the Steelers took Chase Claypool. Now in his fourth season, he's developed quite nicely in Chicago. The Utah product has 45 career starts, which includes six this year. He's already got a career-high two interceptions, along with a forced fumble and four pass deflections.

Pro Football Focus ranks him as the third-best cornerback in football this season with a 84.4 overall grade. It's by far the best grade of his four-year career, as he struggled at times in his first three seasons. The Bears acquired Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders for a second-round draft pick on Tuesday, so they may be even more likely to deal Johnson now. Dealing him would help recoup some of the draft compensation given away for Sweat.

NFL Insider Jordan Schultz moments ago (1:15pm ET) just posted this video naming the Steelers as one of 4 teams who are in the running to land Johnson.

Cornerback has been a prevalent need for the Steelers for awhile now, as they tried to address it in a big way this offseason. Rookie Joey Porter Jr. has stepped up and was officially named a full-time starter by Head Coach Mike Tomlin on Monday. The second-rounder is the sixth-best cornerback according to PFF, albeit in limited snaps thus far. Forming a duo of Porter and Johnson would really help solidify the cornerback unit moving forward.

The need for a corner has become even more needed with disappointing performances from Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace in 2023. Cory Trice Jr. was a name that garnered even more buzz than Porter in the summer, but he suffered a season-ending injury. By now, he may have established himself as a starter alongside Porter. Add on the fact that no one has stepped up in the nickel, a la Chandon Sullivan, and it's led to frustration from the unit overall. 

As for what the Steelers would have to give up for Johnson, an early Day 2 pick seems to be likely. It's worth noting that his rookie contract is up after this season, so whoever acquires him would have to try and negotiate an extension with him right away. Of course, the only way in which a Day 2 pick would be worth it for Johnson would be if you could get him for more than just the remainder of this season.

Spotrac projects a three-year, $23.3 million contract for Johnson, although he may want more with his performance in 2023. If it did indeed come at that price, it may be worth it for Pittsburgh. He's just 24 years old and seems to be playing the best football of his life. A future of Porter, Johnson, and Cory Trice Jr. could help turn around the cornerback room in Pittsburgh. Now we wait and see if the Steelers actually land him.

Do you think the Steelers will make any moves on Tuesday before the deadline? Will they acquire a talented cornerback in Johnson (or someone else)? What kind of compensation would you give up for the Bears defensive back? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, yinz!

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