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Steelers Free Agent Target Re-Signs With Bears

One of the biggest names in the free agent market has come off the board for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Stephen Thompson

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PITTSBURGH -- A massive free agent name has come off the Pittsburgh Steelers this week and they'll have to look elsewhere to fill a void at cornerback. 

Bears star corner Jaylon Johnson, rumored to be a potential luxury signing for the Steelers, will stay in Chicago after signing a four-year, $76 million deal that includes $54.4 million in guaranteed money. 

Johnson was always a long shot to sign with the Steelers and this new deal, which makes him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL by annual value, confirms why. Pittsburgh has limited cap space to work with and $28 million per year, even for one of the best young players in football, figures to be out of their price range. 

The Steelers had been rumored to be interested in trading for Johnson during the 2023 regular season but a deal never materialized. 

Johnson picked off four passes, defended 10 in all and made 36 tackles last season on the way to second-team All-Pro honors. 

The Steelers still have 2023 second-round pick Joey Porter Jr., an All-Rookie team selection under contract for the next three years but will continue their search for a long-term partner for him in the defensive secondary. 

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper. He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press. During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general. 

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