Steelers' Newly Acquired Cornerback Donte Jackson Excited To Prove He's A Top End Player

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a handful of spicy moves this offseason, as the team prepares themselves for a Super Bowl run in 2024. In order to better themselves as a defense, that would require an upgrade at the middle linebacker position and in the secondary. Signing star linebacker Patrick Queen boosts the interior, and recently trading wide out Diontae Johnson for cornerback Donte Jackson is their first attempt in improving their pass defense. 

Jackson, former Carolina Panthers defensive back, has been on the Steelers' watch-list since coming out of college. Jackson's most valuable piece in his game on the field is his speed. The speedster ran a 4.31 second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in 2018. Head Coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers have had interest in Jackson ever since, although not being able to land him in the draft. Now, Jackson is finally in Pittsburgh and is pumped up to show the Steel City what he's really about. 

"You're getting somebody who's excited to prove themselves. Like I said, I don't expect a lot of Steelers fans to be familiar with my game unless you stumbled upon a Panthers game here in the past, but you're going to see that I'm among some of the best in the league."

After releasing former All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson and letting cornerback Levi Wallace walk in free agency, the Steelers had somewhat of a depleted cornerback room. Aside from 2023 rookie standout Joey Porter Jr., the only notable corners on the Steelers roster included Cory Trice Jr. and Darius Rush. Adding Jackson certainly helps, as of now he and Porter Jr. are the starting cornerbacks heading into the new season for the Steelers. 

Jackson recorded multiple interceptions in each of his first five seasons of his six year career, as well as playing a career high of over 900 snaps last season with a Carolina pass defense that was dominant. Jackson and Carolina's defense surrendered the third lowest passing yards allowed per game last year. Coming to a new defense in Pittsburgh that has much more talent all around than Carolina, Jackson's presence should improve a Steelers' passing defense that has seemed to have struggled lately. 

Steelers' Donte Jackson Is Familiar With Many Of The Team's Defensive Stars

Steelers star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jackson faced off against each other three times prior to their NFL careers while Jackson was at LSU and Fitzpatrick was at Alabama. Both defensive backs have made huge roles for themselves in their defenses coming into the league.

"I've been a huge fan of Minkah since we came in the league. We came into the league the same year, and we played in college against each other three years in a row. So I've always been a fan of Minkah. He's an exceptional player. His football IQ is through the roof. So I'm just getting out there to be with a guy who just makes football easier for his teammates and his running mates. Getting to go out there with one of the league's best safeties, it's going to be amazing." 

Jackson and Porter Jr. plan to show the Steelers why they deserve to be the starting cornerback duo that Pittsburgh deserves. Each have unique skill sets and strengths, as we mentioned Jackson is quick and won't be easy to be blown by. Porter Jr. loves to play physical and shows how to be a Steeler on defense. 

"I've watched so much film on Joey. I probably can tell you every one of his plays from his rookie year. He's exceptional. I just can't wait to go out there and watch film up close and personal and take the field with him and just do everything that this franchise deserves from its corners."