15 Million Dollar Cornerback Expected To Be Near The Top Of Steelers Wishlist: Report

The Pittsburgh Steelers need to have an active offseason in 2025 if the organization wants to have any chance of competing in the AFC. Various holes on the roster were illuminated by the five-game losing streak that ended the 2024 season, and the Steelers must find a way to fix those areas of concern. There will be a lot of discussion about the offense as the offseason continues, but the defense also needs some important upgrades. General Manager Omar Khan must prioritize finding a quality cornerback to play opposite Joey Porter Jr., as the team is unlikely to bring back Donte Jackson. 

The Steelers will likely look to attack the cornerback position during the 2025 NFL Draft, but the organization should also be going after some veteran options in free agency. There are some good choices that are expected to hit the open market in March, like DJ Reed and Charvarius Ward, and Pittsburgh was linked to the latter by Matt Bowen, an NFL analyst for ESPN.

"Ward has the man-coverage ability to press or pedal off the ball, along with the backfield vision to make plays in zone coverage," Bowen wrote. "I see him fitting nicely opposite Joey Porter Jr. in a Steelers defensive scheme that played single-high coverage over 50% of the time last season. Over seven pro seasons, Ward has 10 interceptions and 59 pass breakups."

Ward has been a key part of the winning culture in multiple places throughout his NFL career. He won Super Bowl LIV with the Kansas City Chiefs after playing there from 2018 through 2021. He then also played in a Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers. He has been with San Francisco for the last three season, but will be looking for a new home in free agency.

It seems like there isn't much of a chance that Ward returns to the 49ers. The cornerback tragically lost his daughter in the middle of the 2024 NFL season, and he spoke about how there is trauma for him and his family in the San Francisco area. It is completely understandable as to why the veteran would like to move on to a different team for the 2025 season. 

Despite the tragedy Ward and his family have gone through recently, the cornerback does seem motivated to get back on the field and show what he can do. He is one of the better man-to-man corners in the league, and recently vowed to be a better version of himself on social media.

Ward has been a key contributor on some very successful teams, and he could be the missing piece for the Steelers' defense. The addition of Ward would improve the secondary dramatically, which will only give the pass rush more time to get to the quarterback.

Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. Can Learn From Charvarius Ward

Porter is expected to be an All-Pro at some point in his career. The young corner has shown the potential, and if he can clean up a few areas of his game, he could become one of the best cover-corners in the league. Ward has already achieved the label of being an All-Pro, as he made the AP Second Team for his performance during the 2023 season. He should be able to serve as some sort of mentor to Porter, while also still being in his prime as well.

According to Spotrac, Ward would be worth roughly $15 million per season. He is projected to sign a three-year deal worth $45 million, which the Steelers can certainly afford after releasing Preston Smith. Pittsburgh is top-10 in available cap space heading into the 2025 offseason, and that number can grow with more cap causalities.

What do you think about adding a cornerback like Ward in Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments below!

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