Steelers free agent predictions, the ship for adding CB Jaylon Johnson has already sailed
There's a fine line between being hesitant in the NFL and being trigger-happy. During last season, the Pittsburgh Steelers were linked to Bears CB Jaylon Johnson as a potential trade candidate. They opted to stay put, letting Johnson finish out his season in Chicago. But with free agency fast approaching, that move could end up […]
There's a fine line between being hesitant in the NFL and being trigger-happy.
During last season, the Pittsburgh Steelers were linked to Bears CB Jaylon Johnson as a potential trade candidate.
They opted to stay put, letting Johnson finish out his season in Chicago. But with free agency fast approaching, that move could end up costing them, whether they sign him or not.
Johnson Out of Range?
I know, some of you are thinking, "Jaylon Johnson, who is that?"
Well, being shadowed by a bad team in a market that hasn't had much success lately, the shutdown corner isn't even 25 yet and is coming off the best season of his career, one that saw him earn All-Pro second-team honors, as well recognition as a Pro Bowler.
Because of that, A to Z Sports is projecting that Johnson will either be tagged by the Bears or demand a hefty market if he hits the NFL free agent streets:
Johnson has been on a steady upward trajectory since entering the NFL in the second round of the 2020 draft. And he is having quite the platform year, allowing just 0.36 yards per coverage snap. he has ascended to one of the best lockdown corners in the NFL while working in the same division as Justin Jefferson. Johnson’s four interceptions in 2023 and 43 passes defensed in the last three years show he has ball skills to go with his overall coverage skills that dissuade quarterbacks from even wanting to look his way. He compliments all of this with adequate run defense, although if there is one area of his game that lacks it is his tackling where he has a career missed tackle rate of 16.6% per Pro Football Focus.
– Josh Queipo and Kyle Dediminicantanio, A to Z Sports Free Agency
- Franchise Tag Likelihood: High
- Contract Projection: 4 yrs $80M, $20.0M APY, $38M fully GTD
- Year One Cap Hit: $11 million
So as you can see, Pittsburgh is unlikely to even see Johnson reach the open market, and if he does, they will have to shelve out a hefty amount of money, something Pittsburgh rarely does in free agency.
Time will tell if not putting pen to paper back in October will come back to haunt them.
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