The Steelers reportedly made a “very strong” offer for Bears CB Jaylon Johnson.
At last year’s NFL trade deadline, the Pittsburgh Steelers were able to trade Chase Claypool to the Bears for a second-round pick.
This time, there was every reason to believe the front office would be active to meet the deadline.
Before the season started, GM Omar Khan acquired offensive guards Kevin Dotson and Kendrick Green and traded for WR Allen Robinson II before turning to the bench for draft capital.
There is a hole at cornerback in front of rookie Joey Porter.
It seemed likely that Khan would get a deal done for CB before the deadline.
But the clock said 16:00.
ET and Pittsburgh continues the current slate.
It almost didn’t happen.
The Steelers made a “very strong” push for Bears CB Jaylon Johnson before the deadline, according to a report from NFL Jordan Schultz.
Source: The #Steelers also made a ‘very strong’ move to acquire CB Jaylon Johnson from the #Bears .
There was a market for him in Chicago, with a few suitors showing real interest and an early sense that something might happen.
According to reports, several teams have expressed real interest, the Steelers being one of them.
In the end, no trade deal was reached and Johnson will spend the rest of the year in Chicago. The parties may continue to work on extending the contract.
So far, there is still no confirmation on what the Steelers have offered Chicago.
Some have speculated that it could be an electoral vote.
Pittsburgh may owe Chicago a debt for cheating them in the Claypool trade exactly one year ago.
The Steelers tried to shore up the CB position, but to no avail.
It’s no surprise that the Steelers have legitimate interest in doing something for their standout cornerback.
The boundary stretches of Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace early in the season were disappointing.
Although Joey Porter Jr. sure looks good.
Defenses will need to find options against him.
At this point, your options are limited because the FA pool is so dry.
The Steelers can’t make another trade until next season, but that won’t help them for the rest of 2023.
Notably, Pittsburgh used rookie Darius Rush off the Kansas City practice squad.
Perhaps this season he will have the opportunity to show what he can do in defense.
Without the ACL injury to new CB Cory Trice Jr..
In training camp, he could be seen with Porter, who is currently a sophomore.
For now, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have to weather the storm with the roster they have.
Will it be enough to advance to the playoffs?
Not. But at least they didn’t have to give up valuable project capital.
Now is the time to see if this team can make the necessary improvements internally.
