Spotrac recently released their projected price tag for Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson , and it's rather hefty. Spotrac has Jackson's contract value at two years, $23.1 million.
Jackson is among the Steelers' 24 players set to become free agents this offseason.
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.
The Steelers enter 2025 with plenty of cap space . The Steelers rolled over $6.8 million in cap space from the 2024 season, and while there is not yet an official salary cap number for the 2025 season, Over The Cap's estimate of $272.5 million would give the Steelers over $40 million in salary cap space as they move forward into the offseason.
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.
Jackson hopes he's back with the Black and Gold in 2025. He loved playing for Mike Tomlin .
"I hope I'm back," Jackson 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."
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