Pittsburgh Steelers sign safety DeShon Elliott to two-year deal

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly signing safety DeShon Elliott to the roster out of free agency. Elliott will ink a two-year deal for $6 million, according to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz.

A sixth-round draft pick out of Texas in 2018, Elliott began his career as a member of the Baltimore Ravens. He spent the 2023 season with the Miami Dolphins. He racked up 82 tackles with one interception and a fumble recovery. The former Longhorn also notched 3.5 tackles for loss.

Elliott began contributing as a rookie for the Ravens. He had six tackles in six games played in year one. He then played all 16 games in 2020. The safety posted a career-high 2.5 sacks that season, but took a step back and played 6 games in 2021.

In 2022, Elliott joined the Detroit Lions. He posted a career-high 96 tackles in 14 games. He also had an interception, a forced fumble and five tackles for loss.

His previous deal with the Dolphins was for one year and $1.77 million. He gets a pay increase by joining the Steelers for 2024.

Steelers add cornerback Donte Jackson in trade with Carolina

The Carolina Panthers made a move to bring in a little pass catching help for second-year quarterback Bryce Young in 2024, trading for Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Diontae Johnson, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Pittsburgh gets cornerback Donte Jackson in return.

The teams also swapped a pair of picks for the 2024 NFL Draft. Carolina gave up pick No. 178 and Pittsburgh handed over pick No. 240, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Jackson has 14 career interceptions across six seasons, providing quality starting cornerback play during his tenure in Carolina.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline follows the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.