William

Jackson

Jackson was cut by the Steelers at the end of last season to free up $12 million in cap space. The former first-rounder was traded to the Steelers from the Commanders at last year’s deadline but never suited up for Pittsburgh in 2022. Now reportedly healthy and ready to get back to work, Jackson will try to catch on with a team before the start of the season. Jackson signed a three-year, $40.5 million contract with the Commanders in 2021 and quickly became one of the bigger free agent busts in recent memory. Whenever he signs with a team, it will likely be to serve as added depth and not as a starter.

Jackson said he’s over the back injury that limited him to four games in 2023. Pittsburgh released Jackson in March in a move that cleared $12 million off the cap but he’s yet to take any free agent visits since. With multiple teams interested in Jackson, the 30-year-old could wait until the preseason to sign.

Pittsburgh gains $12.2 million in cap space by cutting Jackson. The Steelers initially acquired him via a trade with Washington at the deadline last fall. Jackson was benched by the Commanders and then suffered a back injury. He did not take a span in a black and gold uniform, so his release does not come as much of a surprise. Signed to a three-year, $42 million contract in 2021, Jackson will now be stuck looking for a one-year deal close to the league minimum.

The Steelers went out and acquired Jackson at the trade deadline for a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick. Jackson struggled in his one-and-a-half years in Washington after joining the team on a three-year, $42 million contract at the start of 2021, and was dealt to the Steelers after the Commanders floated him out to potential suitors. As Kaboly noted in his article, Jackson didn’t play a game for the Steelers last season and the team could save $9.25 million against the cap by cutting him ahead of next season. It’s possible the Steelers will try to re-work Jackson’s contract, but if the two sides can’t agree on a new number, an outright release wouldn’t be out of the question.

Jackson was dealing with a back injury prior to the Steelers acquiring him from the Commanders at the trade deadline, so this injury doesn’t come as much of a surprise. The veteran cornerback last played in Week 5 against the Titans but is unlikely to make his Steelers debut if he’s unable to get on the practice field by Friday, according to Austin. Through four games, Jackson has allowed 16 receptions on 19 targets for 219 yards and two touchdowns per PFF.

This one comes as a bit of a surprise after the Commanders seemingly gave up all leverage on Tuesday when they announced they’d likely release Jackson if they could not reach a deal by the trade deadline. Washington has a chance to get out of a bad contract with this trade, as Jackson, who was benched in Week 5, has underwhelmed in his first two seasons with the team. The Commanders are still expected to take a $9 million cap hit in 2023 despite trading away Jackson, who signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the team last offseason. Jackson reunites with defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, who was his coach in 2018 when he was with the Bengals. The Commanders and Steelers are also expected to swap late-round picks in the deal.

Jackson is reportedly seeking a trade to a scheme that could better fit his skillset. The veteran cornerback signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Commanders last season, but has struggled through his first 16 games with the team. Jackson, who is reportedly dealing with a back injury, was benched in last week’s loss to the Titans and didn’t travel with the team for Thursday night’s game against the Bears. Reportedly, there are “several teams” interested in Jackson’s services.

Jackson popped up on the injury report with a back issue this week, though head coach Ron Rivera confirmed Jackson was benched in Week 5. The conveniently timed back injury looks like an excuse to keep Jackson off the gameday roster this week. Before Week 5, he had allowed 14 receptions for 199 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson had also struggled with penalties.

Jackson is the second-highest-paid player on the team and has struggled to live up to his three-year, $42 million contract that he signed in 2021. Prior to Sunday’s game against the Titans, Jackson had allowed 14 receptions for 199 yards and two touchdowns on 17 targets. In the team’s Week 4 loss to the Cowboys, Jackson was flagged three times for penalties in pass coverage and gave up an easy score to CeeDee Lamb. It’s unlikely Jackson rides the pine for the remainder of the season, but his struggles only amplify the Commanders’ 1-4 start to the season.

A vulnerable Washington secondary could be in for a long day against Jalen Hurts and the red-hot Philadelphia offense without Jackson. Taylor Heinicke will continue serving as Carson Wentz’s backup with Howell a healthy scratch.