Steelers' Omar Khan Loses Out On Pro Bowl Safety After Huge Jaguars Trade

The Pittsburgh Steelers have watched another AFC team make a significant investment in its defense. General Manager Omar Khan has several ways he could improve the roster before Tuesday’s trade deadline, but finding the right player at the right price presents a challenge. Pittsburgh does not need to overhaul a team that has put itself in a strong position. However, one experienced defender who could have made the secondary better is now heading elsewhere.

The Steelers have reason to consider adding help on the backend. A long season can test a defense’s depth, and having another reliable veteran becomes especially valuable when the games carry more weight. Pittsburgh also has to consider whether an available player would provide enough of an upgrade to justify surrendering meaningful draft capital.

That conversation now has one fewer name in it. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Atlanta Falcons are trading former Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates III to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacksonville is sending Atlanta a 2027 second-round selection and a 2028 fifth-round pick, giving the Falcons a substantial return for the veteran.

“Trade: Falcons are sending former Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a 2027 2nd-round pick and a 2028 5th-round pick, sources tell ESPN.”

That is a significant commitment from Jacksonville. A second-round selection gives a team an opportunity to land an affordable starter, and the Jaguars are giving up another pick on top of that. Their willingness to pay that price takes a potential secondary upgrade off the board for Pittsburgh and every other team considering help at safety.

The connection to the Steelers goes beyond simply identifying a recognizable player who changed teams. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac recently identified the secondary as an area Pittsburgh could address. His reporting left open multiple possibilities, including both positions in the secondary.

“While it is not known which position they want to address, the Steelers could target the secondary — either cornerback or safety. Wide receiver is another option, although it likely will not be what the fan base is clamoring for.”

Dulac’s assessment helps explain why the Bates deal matters in Pittsburgh. While much of the discussion surrounding the Steelers has focused on adding a pass catcher, Khan could also use the deadline to strengthen his defense. A safety with Bates’ experience would have been an intriguing possibility if the Steelers wanted to make a larger investment.

However, that does not establish that Pittsburgh pursued Bates or submitted an offer. Neither of the reports cited here identifies the Steelers as a participant in those negotiations. Khan loses an available option, but there is a difference between watching a potential fit go elsewhere and losing a bidding war.

The compensation also deserves consideration before anyone criticizes Pittsburgh for failing to make this particular move. Wanting another safety and being willing to surrender a second-round pick are two different decisions. Khan has to weigh what a player could contribute immediately against the opportunity to use that selection in April.

Bates’ background would have made the possibility appealing. He spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals, giving him extensive experience against Pittsburgh and within the AFC North. He then joined Atlanta in 2023 and earned Pro Bowl recognition during his first season with the Falcons.

For the Jaguars, the move brings an established defender into their secondary. For Pittsburgh, it puts another experienced player on an AFC roster that could become relevant later in the season. The Steelers will take on Jacksonville in a massive Monday Night Football contest in December.

Jacksonville has made its investment, and Khan now has to determine whether another available defensive back warrants one of his own.

Steelers Do Have Other Ways To Address The Secondary

Losing the opportunity to acquire Bates does not mean Pittsburgh has run out of options. Dulac’s reporting included cornerback, and Khan could pursue a smaller deal that adds useful depth without requiring a premium selection.

The question is how much the Steelers believe they need. A dependable reserve would serve a different purpose than a player expected to take over a starting role immediately. Jacksonville paid for an established safety, setting a price Pittsburgh may never have wanted to match. Khan has until Tuesday to find a move that fits what his own coaching staff needs for the stretch run.

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