Background and Early Career: Donte Jackson, a speedy cornerback, started his NFL journey with the Carolina Panthers in 2018.
A product of LSU, he quickly established himself as a dynamic defensive player. Standing 5’10” and weighing 180 pounds, Jackson’s agility and speed have been his trademarks, allowing him to effectively cover wide receivers and contribute to the secondary with 14 career interceptions over his first six seasons
Transition to Pittsburgh Steelers: In a notable trade during the 2024 offseason, Jackson moved from the Panthers to the Pittsburgh Steelers. This trade also involved wide receiver Diontae Johnson heading to Carolina. Jackson joins a Steelers’ secondary aiming to enhance its defensive capabilities, particularly after the departures of Levi Wallace and Chandon Sullivan .
Role and Expectations: Upon joining the Steelers, Jackson was immediately pegged to line up opposite second-year corner Joey Porter Jr. His role will involve matching up against No. 2 wide receivers, leveraging his tackling abilities and speed to bolster Pittsburgh’s pass defense.
Jackson’s tackling prowess is expected to help mitigate the issues Pittsburgh faced with missed tackles and big plays in the previous season .
Previous Achievements and Statistics: Jackson’s time with the Panthers was marked by consistency and resilience. Despite missing the final eight games of the 2022 season due to an Achilles’ tendon injury, he bounced back in 2023, playing a career-high 903 defensive snaps. His contributions were integral to the Panthers’ secondary, which allowed the third-fewest passing yards per game in the league that year.
Chemistry with Steelers’ Defense: Jackson’s arrival in Pittsburgh reunites him with fellow 2018 draftee Minkah Fitzpatrick, whom he faced during their college days at LSU and Alabama, respectively.
Jackson has expressed admiration for Fitzpatrick’s football IQ and looks forward to collaborating with him to fortify the Steelers’ defense.
This synergy is anticipated to be a cornerstone for the Steelers as they aim to improve their defensive standings Jackson’s transition to the Steelers marks a significant step in his career, bringing his dynamic defensive skills to a team looking to reinvigorate its secondary. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Jackson’s speed and experience will impact the Steelers’ defensive strategies in the upcoming season
