Ex-Steelers CB Donte Jackson Seriously Regrets How His Time In Pittsburgh Ended

The Pittsburgh Steelers traded to get cornerback Donte Jackson from the Carolina Panthers ahead of the 2024 season. Jackson came in with a lot of confidence that he could help turn this secondary around, bringing speed, experience, and a competitive mindset to a unit that had struggled in recent years. Expectations were high, as the Steelers hoped Jackson’s presence would stabilize their cornerback room and provide much-needed playmaking ability against some of the league’s top wide receivers. His reputation as a ball hawk and lockdown defender made him an appealing addition to Pittsburgh’s defensive plans.

Jackson delivered flashes of his potential during the 2024 season, recording five interceptions for the Steelers. While that stat line was impressive, his overall performance did not match the initial hype. According to the Pro Football Focus grading, he ranked 186th out of 222 cornerbacks for the season, reflecting inconsistency and struggles in coverage. Adding to the challenge, Jackson was either playing hurt or missing time due to injuries, which limited his ability to fully contribute. 

The combination of injuries and underwhelming performance left fans frustrated, as the Steelers had invested in him with hopes of shoring up their secondary. In a candid appearance on the Kickin’ it with Kunkel podcast, Jackson finally opened up about what ultimately ended his time in the Steel City. He explained that injuries and lingering physical issues played a major role in preventing him from reaching his potential with the team. 

"I was able to put together a pretty good year," Jackson said while speaking on the podcast. "It just sucks that injuries got in the way of a lot of my performance. Dealing with a lot of injuries, dealing with a lot of things. Couldn't stay upright. Even though I had good stats, couldn't stay upright, couldn't stay available. Even when I was available, I still was out there playing hurt. I wish it would've ended better. Feel like I shot myself in the foot."

Jackson also acknowledged the difficulty of adjusting to a new defensive scheme while battling through setbacks, which affected his consistency on the field. 

Despite the challenges, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity and made it clear that he still has confidence in his abilities moving forward, hoping to find a fresh start now with the Los Angeles Chargers.

"I wish that I was able to give more from a health standpoint," Jackson admitted. "I think that's what ended things with me in Pittsburgh. Wasn't playing healthy, and that messed up a lot of the things that I would do on the field. I couldn't do certain things because of my shoulder. Then I had a back injury."

The saying "The best ability is availability" rings especially true in the NFL. It’s an incredibly competitive league, and even though Jackson battled through injuries and tried his best to stay on the field, he ultimately couldn’t keep his body healthy. That struggle with staying fully healthy likely played a role in Pittsburgh not bringing him back for the 2025 season.

Steelers Made Big Upgrades At CB For 2025 NFL Season

The Steelers made a few significant acquisitions this offseason to boost their secondary for the 2025 campaign. As the 2024 season came to a close, it became very evident that Pittsburgh’s secondary and the defense as a whole needed improvement. 

The Steelers moved on from former All Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick via trade in the 2025 offseason. They acquired Jalen Ramsey in return and also signed Darius Slay in free agency. Pairing those two with Joey Porter Jr. should make this cornerback room one of the top units in the NFL.

What grade would you give Donte Jackson for his 2024 season in Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.

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