A position the Pittsburgh Steelers needed to fulfill this offseason was at cornerback, opposite Joey Porter Jr., and Omar Khan believes he got the guy. Donte Jackson is entering year seven in the NFL, where he spent his first six with the Carolina Panthers. Pittsburgh traded away Diontae Johnson for Jackson back in March in hopes to add much needed help in a questionable position group.
Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Donte Jackson during the team's mandatory minicamp in 2024.
Jackson seems to take the transition from Carolina to Pittsburgh very well. Right out of the car, his smile could not have been bigger. He has never experienced a winning season during his six-year stint with the Panthers, where the best record they had was 7-9 in his rookie season. Playing for Head Coach Mike Tomlin, being a part of the Steelers, Jackson feels he is finally where he belongs. He was talking with reporters at Latrobe about being a Steeler and how he fits with this organization according to Chris Adamski of the Tribune-Review.
"It's a match made in heaven, I feel like I'm right where I belong. I've always been a type of player that this organization embodies. Tough, physical, hard nosed, and I think this is just the place for me."
The Steelers were in need of cornerback help with Levi Wallace, Patrick Peterson, Chandon Sullivan, and James Pierre no longer on the team. With the remaining players left in that room, it left more questions than answers when it came to who is going to step into the cornerback role opposite of Porter Jr. There is young talent when it comes to Darius Rush and Cory Trice, but Rush did not see the field very much in 2023, while Trice was recovering from a torn ACL he suffered from 2023 training camp. Rather than use one of their earlier picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Steelers elected to make a trade for a veteran cornerback that could instantly elevate their secondary.
Panthers.com
Former Carolina Panthers DB Donte Jackson gets an interception.
Jackson was one of the few bright spots in Carolina in the last six seasons. He has played 80 games with 302 tackles, 46 pass deflections, 14 interceptions, 3 force fumbles, and a fumble recovery. He still has plenty of years ahead of him at just 28 years old. Now on a one-year deal, it seems that this isn't just a pit stop for Jackson, but a new home with the love he has received from the fans.
"Just can't wait to get in front of these amazing fans, they've been amazing to me on social media and stuff like that. So just getting a chance to get out in front and just feel the energy in person, I'm looking forward to that."
Sebastian Foltz / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Donte Jackson working out with the team at OTAs.
Jackson is Ready to Show Steelers Fans What He Can Do
Jackson is ready to show what he has to offer for the Steelers during training camp at Saint Vincent College. With many fans still questioning the trade that sent Johnson away for Jackson, many eyes will be on him in Latrobe. The confidence he is already showing pulling into training camp should give Steelers fans hope that he can live up to the expectations and be the cornerback they are hoping he will be. The Steelers will be facing very good wide receiver groups throughout the season and will need all the help they can get to combat the pass game.
Will Jackson's play be enough to truly impact the secondary and be the veteran leader that these young corners need in the locker room? Click to comment below to let us know what you think.
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