Scratch former Las Vegas Raiders slot cornerback Nate Hobbs off the free-agent market. Per multiple reports, Hobbs has agreed to a large four-year, $48 million deal with the Green Bay Packers. CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards was the first to report the signing with others, like NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, filling in the details.
Hobbs was one of the top players on our personal Pittsburgh Steelers’ wish list. A do-it-all slot corner who can stop the run and defend the pass, his injury history didn’t suppress his market value.
In 2024, with the Raiders, Hobbs recorded 49 tackles (two for a loss), five pass breakups, and one interception. Just 25 years old, he brought a blend of experience with 38 starts, production, and upside.
As we wrote about, he would’ve been a perfect fit to play the nickel in Pittsburgh. We also theorized a connection with new Steelers DB coach Gerald Alexander could entice him to make the same cross-country trip.
“Crucially, there’s also a connection that could help convince him to come to Pittsburgh. Steelers’ defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander served as the Raiders’ safeties coach in 2023. He didn’t work directly with a corner like Hobbs, but they were obviously part of the secondary and would be a familiar face.
This would be a home run signing and tops my list. Even knowing he might not play all 17 games, there’s depth with Bishop as a capable backup option.”
Unsurprisingly, $48 million was the larger draw. It’s not clear if Pittsburgh had any interest. Still, they were unlikely to spend that kind of money on him, especially after making WR DK Metcalf the highest-paid non-quarterback in franchise history on Sunday, a trade that will become official Wednesday.
Though undrafted rookie Beanie Bishop Jr. flashed with four interceptions, he was replaced by Cam Sutton in the latter half of the year. Sutton struggled and isn’t expected to return, while Bishop didn’t show enough to return as a slam dunk starter in 2025. It’s an area Pittsburgh has struggled to find a consistent starter for, rotating through different names nearly every season this decade.
If Pittsburgh wants to add in free agency, a reunion with Mike Hilton is plausible. Other slot options include the Philadelphia Eagles’ Avonte Maddox, who played his college ball at Pitt. The NFL Draft will also afford them options, including Texas’ Jahdae Barron in Round One or Western Kentucky’s Upton Stout later in the draft.
