The pairing of the Washington Commanders and cornerback William Jackson III ran its course in less than two seasons. On Tuesday, the Commanders traded Jackson to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jackson had reportedly requested a trade after getting benched in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans.
Jackson’s back injury, which forced him to miss the past three games, lessened his trade value even more than his lackluster play over the past two seasons. The Commanders considered releasing Jackson if they couldn’t trade him before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline. Fortunately for them, the Steelers swooped in to give Washington a chance to recoup some value for a roster whiff.
Ultimately, the Commanders receive a conditional 2025 sixth-round draft pick. The Steelers get Jackson and a conditional 2025 seventh-round draft pick in exchange.
Pittsburgh is getting Jackson for one year at $3.1 million with a $12.75 million option in 2023. The $3.1 million is the maximum cap hit Jackson will carry for the remainder of the season. He will get a base of $2,777,773 and could earn a $44,117 bonus for each game active.
Then in the offseason, the Steelers will face the decision of bringing Jackson back at $12.75 million or releasing him with no dead cap penalty, according to Over The Cap.
If Jackson plays well, the Steelers could hang on to him for 2023 at a reasonable price for a top-performing cornerback. Because Pittsburgh acquired Jackson via trade, they could part ways with him without penalty. It’s worth noting Jackson would be owed a $2.5 million roster bonus on the third day of the new league year in 2023.
For the Commanders, they save $2,777,773 for the rest of the year, transferring that tab to the Steelers. Washington no longer owes money to Jackson. However, the Commanders will take a $9 million dead cap penalty for 2023.
Jackson signed a three-year, $40.5 million deal with Washington in March 2021 after four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. However, it became apparent from early on Jackson wasn’t a good mesh with what the Commanders wanted to do defensively.
After his struggles continued into Year 2 in Washington, it was clear separation was best, leading to Jackson getting shipped to Pittsburgh.
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera admitted Jackson “didn’t fit” defensively and the Washington brass “were wrong” about signing him.
