The Steelers’ trade for William Jackson has not led to any game action. Ahead of a possible win-and-in game in Week 18, however, that could change.
Jackson received a return designation Wednesday. The veteran cornerback is back at practice. The Steelers acquired Jackson just before the trade deadline, but a back injury lingered for the former Bengals and Commanders defender. This move comes a week after the Steelers designated cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon for return. Both players can be activated by Saturday’s deadline.
While the Steelers have three weeks to activate Jackson, they may be down to their final game. FiveThirtyEight gives Pittsburgh a 21% chance to make the playoffs. The Steelers (8-8) need to beat the Browns and see both the Patriots and Dolphins lose. It would be a borderline-historic achievement if the Steelers rallied back from 2-6 to the postseason, considering only two teams — the 1970 Bengals and 2020 Washington Football Team — have come back from that record to qualify.
This represents a lost season for Jackson, whom the Commanders benched in September. Jackson was not part of that 2020 Washington iteration, having signed with the team in March 2021. Washington gave the former Cincinnati first-rounder a three-year, $40.5MM deal but was quickly dissatisfied with his performance this season. The Steelers acquired Jackson for a conditional sixth-round pick in 2025, acquiring a conditional seventh-rounder in that draft in the deal as well.
Jackson, 30, has made 64 career starts and fared well enough with the Bengals to command those contractual terms. That contract led to Jackson’s low trade value, but Pittsburgh adjusted the deal upon acquiring the seventh-year vet. Jackson is attached to a $5MM base salary this season and a nonguaranteed $9.25MM base in 2023.
Given how this season went, it would be a bit of a surprise if Jackson played on that deal next year. The Steelers can save $12.75MM by releasing Jackson once such moves are allowed come February. Then again, the Steelers do not have much invested at corner. Both Witherspoon and Levi Wallace are attached to low-cost contracts; Cameron Sutton is due for free agency. The team also received a tremendous return from Joe Haden, having signed the former first-rounder quickly after the Browns cut him back in 2017.
He can still help. So can Witherspoon.
Yeah, they’re still susceptible to getting picked apart quite easily by a good passer. This guy can’t hurt. Hope this team is coming together at the right time
For my money, even if they don’t make the playoffs, they progressed this year. Still need linemen on both sides, inside line backing, d-backs and a punter, but they progressed
I agree. good progress this year since early in the season.
pickett, Pickens, Warren, Najee seem to secure the future at skill positions.
now just need to add some size to both lines
Agreed. Would love to know the story behind Pickett not being “allowed” to throw the ball downfield more. Is it a case of bringing him along in a slow , methodical fashion, a case of guys constantly running bad routes or just the OC?
he’s never known for his deep ball.
pickett has always been a Russell Wilson accurate mid range passer with mobility
we got a glimpse of his inaccuracy downfield on his very first NFL pass an interception thrown behind Claypool
I’m going to disagree with you on these points, Goku.
First off, having watched him at Pitt, I guess it would depend on what your connotation of deep is. The kid threw 42 TD passes his senior year and a good number were over 30 yards. Granted, that may not qualify as “deep routes” in the NFL to some but certainly, deeper than the dink and dunk style we are seeing now
Second, one of the reasons Claypool was traded was attitude. Yeah, we all saw that pass and it wasn’t like Claypool killed himself to get to it
I’m gonna leave this thread with the thought that I applauded this pick. I never thought he’d be Burrow or Herbert in terms of arm strength, but he’s not far behind
You’d just never know it in the offense as it is currently constructed
We’ve been Talking ’bout JACKSON
Ever since the fire went out.