C+
A-
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Sentiment Analysis
A-
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Pittsburgh lands a legitimate starting cornerback in a much-needed position upgrade. Five reports confirm the deal, signaling real media consensus around this signing. A 3-year/$36.75M contract reflects solid market value for a proven Tampa Bay starter. Fans are buzzing about Dean's pick-six ball and his desire for Aaron Rodgers' signature. If healthy, Dean stabilizes Pittsburgh's secondary and becomes an immediate Week 1 starter.
📰5 news
Contract Value Index (CVI)
C+
Fair Value
OverpayFair ValueGreat Value
The Steelers' three-year, $36.8M commitment to Jamel Dean earns a C+ CVI, reflecting a slightly above-market deal for a cornerback who brings solid starter credentials but limited upside. At $12.3M AAV, Pittsburgh is paying Dean roughly what you'd expect for a dependable CB2 with starting experience, though the relatively modest $12M guaranteed suggests the team maintained some financial flexibility if things don't work out. This CVI aligns with recent deals for similar-tier cornerbacks who offer steady coverage skills without being true difference-makers — Dean profiles as a reliable but unspectacular addition to a secondary that needed depth. The risk here isn't catastrophic given the guarantee structure, but the Steelers are essentially betting $12.3M per year that a cornerback with inconsistent coverage metrics can provide consistent starter-level play in a new system. For Pittsburgh, this represents a measured investment in secondary stability rather than a swing for impact, while Dean secures his largest payday to date with a contract that reflects his value as a solid starter rather than a premium talent.
Contract Details
- Length
- 3 years
- Total Value
- $36.8M
- AAV
- $12.3M
- Guaranteed
- $12.0M
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About this NFL transaction
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Jamel Dean (CB) on March 14, 2026. FanVerdicts grades every reported NFL transaction across three dimensions independently: Contract Value Index measures the deal's value relative to expected production, Sentiment measures media and fan reaction, and Fan Verdict aggregates community voting on this page. Current grades for this move: Contract Value Index C+, Sentiment A-, Fan Verdict pending.
Contract details below show the years, total value, average annual value, and guaranteed money the Contract Value Index grade is computed against. The grade does not change once written — it reflects market expectations at the moment of signing, recomputed only if the contract is restructured.
Want broader context? The NFL hub has the league-wide transaction feed and team rankings. The NFL transactions feed lists every reported move across the league with the same three-grade methodology applied to each.