Steelers Tabbed As Best Landing Spot For Exciting $33 Million Cornerback

The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering a very important offseason in 2025. It is safe to say the trajectory of the franchise over the next few seasons is reliant on whatever moves will be made throughout the offseason. Major decisions are going to need to be made, specifically at the quarterback position. The front office will need to field another good draft class, while also filling specific holes on both sides of the ball during free agency. Some main areas of concern are cornerback, quarterback, and wide receiver.

Joey Porter Jr. has been a great cornerback for the Steelers throughout his first two seasons in the league, although he has had his issues. He struggles with his physicality which often draws costly penalties, but the signs of him being a great cornerback are clearly there. He has already spoke about promising to be better moving forward, but the Steelers will need to find another cornerback to pair with Porter. Donte Jackson could leave in free agency, and the Steelers need to weigh some options.

Pittsburgh could address the position in many ways. There should be some cornerbacks available via trade, through the draft, and through free agency. Pro Football Focus predicts that top free agent cornerback DJ Reed would be best suited to sign in Pittsburgh.

"The Pittsburgh Steelers, who rely heavily on their corners in closed coverages—the highest rate in the NFL this past season—would be a natural fit for Reed," Mason Cameron wrote for PFF. "Pairing him with rising star Joey Porter Jr. could solidify their secondary and enable the Steelers to maintain their aggressive defensive identity."

Jackson impressed during his lone season with the Steelers as he led the team in interceptions, but he did struggle otherwise in coverage. He will probably command a decent amount of money in free agency, and Pittsburgh might be better off looking for help elsewhere. Reed might be one of the best options available. The cornerback has had success playing with the New York Jets over the last three seasons, and has already stated he doesn't plan to return.

Reed has bounced around some in his NFL career. He began his career with the San Francisco 49ers after being a fifth-round pick in 2018, and he then joined the Seattle Seahawks after being waived by the 49ers ahead of the 2020 season. He played well with Seattle for two seasons and earned himself a three-year, $33 million deal with the Jets before the 2022 season began. Reed's consistency at cornerback, with different teams, highlights exactly why he should be a top target for Pittsburgh.

"Reed enters free agency after notching his sixth straight season with an overall grade above 70.0, accomplishing the feat across three different franchises. In 2024, he recorded a 51.28% lockdown rate, continuing a trend of standout play that defined his time in New York, where he ranked in the 91st percentile among outside cornerbacks over three seasons."

The veteran cornerback has been impressive throughout his entire career, but especially with the Jets. He seems to get better each and every year, which is a reason the Steelers need to pursue him. Pittsburgh also needs to think about allocating some resources to its offense as the organization already rosters the highest paid defense in the NFL.

Steelers Would Need To Commit A Good Amount Of Money To Land DJ Reed

Reed is coming off of a contract where he was being paid $11 million per season, and he outplayed that contract. It is not out of the question for him to demand double what his last contract was worth. This would mean the Steelers' payroll on the defensive side of the football would increase dramatically, but he would be a serious upgrade at cornerback that the Steelers desperately need. This would also allow the Steelers to focus their draft needs elsewhere.