In a move that has sent shockwaves through the AFC North, former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback William Jackson III has signed a contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, reigniting a heated divisional rivalry. The news, confirmed by sources close to the Bengals’ front office, marks a stunning turn for the veteran defensive back who once donned the black and gold.
A Rocky Tenure in Pittsburgh
William Jackson III, a first-round pick by the Bengals in 2016, joined the Steelers in November 2022 via a trade with the Washington Commanders. The trade, which involved a conditional sixth-round pick, was seen as a low-risk move to bolster Pittsburgh’s secondary. However, Jackson’s time with the Steelers was marred by misfortune. A nagging back injury, specifically a bulging disc, sidelined him immediately after the trade, preventing him from playing a single snap for the team.
Despite hopes of a recovery, Jackson’s injury persisted, and the Steelers released him in March 2023 to clear cap space. The move was met with little fanfare, as Jackson had yet to make an impact in Pittsburgh. His release left Steelers fans indifferent, but few could have predicted the twist that would follow.
A Return to Cincinnati
Fast forward to April 2025, and Jackson has found a new home—back with the Cincinnati Bengals, the team that drafted him nearly a decade ago. The Bengals, looking to reinforce their secondary amid a competitive AFC playoff race, offered Jackson a one-year deal to return to Paycor Stadium. The contract, while modest compared to the three-year, $40.5 million deal he signed with Washington in 2021, represents a fresh start for the 32-year-old cornerback.
Jackson’s return to Cincinnati is a bitter pill for Steelers fans. The Bengals and Steelers have long been fierce rivals, with games often decided by physicality and pride. For a player once acquired by Pittsburgh to now suit up in orange and black feels like a betrayal, especially given Jackson’s history with the Bengals. During his initial five-year stint in Cincinnati, he played 64 games, racking up 156 tackles, three interceptions, and 41 pass deflections, establishing himself as a promising talent before injuries derailed his career.
Why the Move Stings
The Steelers’ secondary has faced its share of challenges in 2024 and 2025, with injuries to key players like Donte Jackson and Joey Porter Jr. exposing depth issues. While William Jackson III was never expected to be a cornerstone in Pittsburgh, his signing with a divisional foe raises questions about what could have been. Had he stayed healthy, could he have contributed to the Steelers’ playoff push? Instead, he now joins a Bengals team fighting to keep their postseason hopes alive, potentially facing Pittsburgh in critical matchups.
Bengals fans, on the other hand, are cautiously optimistic. Jackson’s familiarity with the organization and his veteran presence could provide stability to a secondary tasked with containing high-powered offenses like those
