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Steelers trade for massive defensive help, give up offensive weapon
Donte Jackson. Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers trade for massive defensive help, give up offensive weapon

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics  |  By Jordan Sigler  |  Last updated 3/12/24

The Pittsburgh Steelers are swapping a wide receiver for secondary help, and it comes at a questionable time for their new quarterback. The Steelers signed veteran quarterback Russell Wilson this week. The Steelers took advantage of Wilson’s league-minimum contract to go all-in for the 2024 season.

However, the Steelers made a series of cuts to their secondary last week to save cap space. They released Patrick Peterson and Keanu Neal. On Tuesday, the Steelers added depth to their secondary.

The Steelers traded for Donte Jackson

Per Adam Schefter with ESPN, the Steelers traded Diontae Johnson and a seventh-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for cornerback Donte Jackson and a sixth-round pick.

Jackson, the Panthers’ 2018 second-round pick, has been a staple of a solid defense in Carolina. For the 2024 season, he should help a transitioning secondary in Pittsburgh.

The price will mean Wilson will lose one of the Steelers’ best offensive targets, Johnson, who was the team's second-leading receiver last season.

Wilson will still have George Pickens to throw to. But the team released another veteran pass-catcher, Allen Robinson, last week.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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