Prior to trading for him in mid-March to address the cornerback position, the Pittsburgh Steelers had long coveted cornerback Donte Jackson.
Head coach Mike Tomlin stated that rather clearly back in March after the trade, saying that he had coveted him for “years and years.” There was also the report from NFL Insider Tom Pelissero the day after the trade that the Steelers had been trying to acquire Jackson before and during the 2023 season.
Turns out, Jackson was almost a Steeler before then.
Following his first training camp practice with the Steelers, Jackson told the team’s new play-by-play man Rob King that he nearly signed with the Steelers during the offseason ahead of the 2022 season when he was a free agent.