PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Steelers starting corner for much of last season is signing with the Chargers. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Donte Jackson will sign with LA for two-years, $13 million.
In the first six weeks of the 2024 season, Pro Football Focus ranked Donte Jackson as a top 20 corner. At that point he had three interceptions, four passes defensed and 18 tackles (11 solo). After that point, the 5’11”, 180-pound, seven-year veteran had only two above average performances, both against Cleveland.
He had a pick against the Browns, along with Cincinnati, where he also had a fumble recovery. He missed a couple of games down the stretch because of a pinched-nerve in his back which impacted his practice time for the last month-plus of the season.
Jackson dropped from top-20 corner to being ranked 110th overall by the end of the 2024 season. Coverage is not as much a strength historically as his tackling and overall play. The numbers dipped late in the year, although he did struggle, per PFF, against the Chargers, Jets and Washington before the injury really started impacting him.
The 29-year-old ended with the worst PFF overall grade of his seven-year career (49.4) last season with the Steelers, after rating 64.3 with the Panthers in 2023 and 70.4 in 2020.
Jackson was an upbeat clubhouse guy, seemed to have a great relationship sharing information with Joey Porter, Junior. He’ll make less in two years, $13 million, with the Chargers than he did last year, $15 million, in his final year of his Carolina contract.