Steelers leave NFL trade deadline with major question

Following a very active offseason, many believed that the Steelers were going to make a move ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday. But that wasn't the case, which has left them with a major question.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Pittsburgh made a "very strong" push for Bears CB Jaylon Johnson but wasn't willing to meet their demands for the former second-round pick.

The news doesn't come at a surprise, as the Steelers have been linked to Johnson since veteran cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace have struggled to begin the year.

However, it leaves the question of what Pittsburgh's plans are for its cornerbacks the rest of the season.

Head coach Mike Tomlin named rookie CB Joey Porter Jr. the starter over Wallace on Monday as he has impressed in his limited action. But Peterson has been consistently picked on as well and should be primarily a slot corner or safety in All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick's absence.

The addition of Johnson would have solved the issue now and for the future as he and Porter Jr. would have been quite the cornerback duo. Instead, the Steelers are left to decide which struggling corner will continue playing alongside Porter Jr. on the outside.

Much of the criticism for Pittsburgh has gone to its offense this season, deservedly so, but it's time to spread some of the blame to defensive coordinator Teryl Austin's defense, which is one of the highest paid units in the league.

Johnson could still join the Steelers in the offseason as contract talks between him and Chicago will not continue and he is expected to become a free agent, but that conversation is for another day.