By Josh 
Steelers Face Key Decisions at Cornerback in 2025 Offseason
As the Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2025 NFL offseason, one of their biggest areas of concern is the cornerback position. With veterans Donte Jackson and Cameron Sutton set to hit free agency, the team lacks proven depth behind star CB Joey Porter Jr. While young talents like Beanie Bishop Jr. and Cory Trice Jr. show promise, Pittsburgh will likely look to add a starting-caliber cornerback through free agency or the draft.
A Potential Splash Signing? D.J. Reed Linked to Steelers
Re-signing Jackson seems like a logical solution, given his solid performance in 2024. However, long-time Steelers beat reporter Mark Kaboly has a different prediction.
During a February 5 mailbag post on X, a fan asked Kaboly:
“How much will the largest contract given out to a free agent be this year and what position group? (Bonus: Can guess the player correctly?)”
Kaboly’s response was clear and confident:
“Cornerback D.J. Reed – 3 years, $43.5 million.”
Would the Steelers Invest in a Top-Tier Corner?
D.J. Reed, best known as the “Robin” to Sauce Gardner’s “Batman” with the New York Jets, is widely regarded as one of the top free agents in 2025. Across various rankings, he is consistently placed as a top-10 overall free agent and a top-2 cornerback.
- Pro Football Focus (PFF): Reed ranks No. 6 overall and No. 1 among cornerbacks.
- CBS Sports (Tyler Sullivan): Ranks Reed No. 5 overall and the top free-agent CB.
- Pro Football Network (Ben Rolfe): Places Reed at No. 8 overall, behind Byron Murphy Jr. at CB.
PFF highlights Reed’s consistency, noting he has posted a 70.0+ overall grade for six consecutive seasons. His 2024 coverage grade of 70.1 ranked 31st among all qualifying cornerbacks, with an impressive 51.28% lockdown percentage.
While some analysts question whether Reed is a true No. 1 shutdown corner, that wouldn’t be an issue in Pittsburgh. With Porter already established as the team’s top CB, Reed would fill a complementary role—just as he did alongside Gardner.
Signing Reed Likely Means Moving on From Jackson
If Pittsburgh commits $14.5 million per year to Reed, bringing back Jackson becomes highly unlikely. Essentially, Kaboly’s prediction suggests the Steelers will let Jackson walk in free agency.
Jackson, who was acquired from the Carolina Panthers, spoke highly of head coach Mike Tomlin and appeared to enjoy his time in Pittsburgh. While a return isn’t entirely off the table, the Steelers may view Reed as an upgrade at the position.
What’s Next for Pittsburgh?
With free agency approaching, the Steelers have a major decision to make at cornerback. Will they invest big money in Reed, re-sign Jackson, or look elsewhere for reinforcements? The answer should become clearer in the coming weeks as Pittsburgh shapes its 2025 roster.