INDIANAPOLIS —On Tuesday at the NFL Combine, Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan shed some light on cornerback Donte Jackson status with the team. Jackson is among the Steelers' 24 players set to become free agents in a few weeks.
"We've had conversations with Donte," Khan said. "It was a good experience with Donte. He got the ball for us a lot. If I'm not mistaken, I think it was seven times with the interceptions and fumble recoveries. But he's a free agent, so again, options are on the table. All options on the table."
Jackson recorded a career-high five interceptions in 2024, which ranked sixth in the NFL , along with 38 tackles (28 solo), one fumble recovery and eight passes defended. On the surface, the numbers are solid, but he struggled down the stretch in coverage. It should be noted, however, that he was dealing with a nagging back injury.
Spotrac has Jackson's contract value at two years, $23.1 million.
Jackson could be brought back, but I'm not sure on a two-year, $23.1 million contract. Especially if the Steelers plan on drafting a cornerback high in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh Steelers Cornerback Donte Jackson during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 1, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Jackson hopes he's back with the Black and Gold in 2025. He loved playing for Mike Tomlin .
"I hope I'm back," Jackson recently said on "The Christian Kuntz Podcast." "Another free agency coming up. Just grateful to be in this spot, to be able to sign a third contract. Because man, guys don't get to two. It's a blessing just to be able to set myself up to sign three is awesome. Huge opportunity for me and my family. We hope we're back. We love it, but business is business."
The Steelers acquired Jackson in a trade that send wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in March. It was a move that was highly criticized at the time, but it seems to have aged quite well since.
Johnson spent his 2024 season jumping from team to team, spending short stints with the Panthers, Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans . He ended the year with a career-low 33 catches for 375 yards.
The 29-year-old was picked on from time to time, but he was brought in to upgrade the team's No. 2 corner back spot opposite Joey Porter Jr. , and that's exactly what he did.
"From the moment we first got here, all the love just me and my family have received, it's just been crazy," Jackson said. "We really enjoy this organization. We really enjoy the fans. We enjoyed this year. It was one of the more memorable ones in my family."
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Indianapolis.
More must-reads:
