The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the teams most well-positioned to have a great offseason in 2025. The organization is currently top-10 in cap space for the upcoming season, and the franchise has over $160 million available in 2026. On top of the financials, General Manager Omar Khan also has eight selections in the 2025 NFL Draft. These can be useful on the trade market, or for finding young talent at the event in April. The Steelers will pursue all avenues to improve the roster, especially free agency.
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Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan speaking on the sidelines inside Acrisure Stadium.
Pittsburgh has a lot of areas on the roster that need some attention during the 2025 offseason. On defense, the obvious spots are along the defensive line and at cornerback. The defensive line class in the 2025 NFL Draft is deep, so the franchise can feel comfortable attacking the position there, while cornerback will likely be a target in free agency.
ESPN analyst Aaron Schatz believes the Steelers need to go out and land cornerback DJ Reed as the two sides would be a great match.
"The Steelers seem to be a great match," Schatz wrote. "They have a glaring need with Donte Jackson likely hitting free agency and rank among the top 10 teams in salary cap space. Pittsburgh was also 12th in using zone and 21st in using man this past season, which would benefit the versatile Reed. He had an off season in 2024, according to my coverage DVOA metric, but he was above average in 2023 and one of the league's best cornerbacks in terms of yards per target in 2022."
The Steelers have Joey Porter Jr. to rely on at cornerback on one side of the field, but the other side certainly needs some work. Donte Jackson is expected to leave in free agency, as he was a liability at times in 2024 and was often dealing with nagging injuries. A free agent like Reed could help shore up the other side of the gridiron, and he can also serve as a veteran mentor to Porter.
New York Jets
Jets' DJ Reed (left) walks off of the practice field with the New York Jets in 2024.
Reed entered the NFL in 2018 as he was a fifth-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers. He played there for two seasons before being waived, but he was eventually claimed by the Seattle Seahawks. He had a pair of good years with Seattle, and ultimately signed a three-year, $33 million deal with the New York Jets in 2022.
The veteran has been one of the better cover corners in the league over the last several seasons, and he has made it clear he does not want to return to the Jets. The Steelers should be able to land him if they want to, although he would be expensive. Reed is currently projected to sign a four-year deal worth $58 million, which would be roughly $14.5 million per season. The Steelers have gone a long time without investing heavy at cornerback, and maybe it is time that changes.
Steelers Have A Pair Of Quality Options At Cornerback In Free Agency
Another top cornerback that will be available during free agency is Charvarius Ward. Ward has been with the 49ers since the 2022 season, and he was named Second Team All-Pro back in 2023. The cornerback has a ton of upside. He will also be looking for a new home, as he tragically lost his child in the San Francisco area and he has spoken publicly about how it is too difficult to play there anymore.
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49ers' Charvarius Ward runs out of the tunnel before a home game in San Francisco.
Ward will be looking for a new deal elsewhere, and he is expected to cost a little over $15 million per year on a three-year deal worth $45.86 million.
If Pittsburgh is looking to spend at cornerback during the 2025 offseason, the options are certainly there. Ward and Reed are two of the top cover corners in the league, and Pittsburgh's defense would improve dramatically with the addition of either player.
Who do you want the Steelers to sign at cornerback? Let us know in the comments below!
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