CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Joe Haden was only out of the AFC North for a few hours. After the Browns released the two-time Pro Bowler on Wednesday morning, the Steelers swooped in to sign Haden to a three-year, $27 million deal before most steel workers had clocked out for the day.

While Haden had several other suitors chasing his services, including the Raiders, Cowboys and Saints, joining the Steelers wasn't a difficult choice. He met the team ahead of its final preseason game against the Panthers, and everything seemed to fall into place.

"They were super interested in me," Haden said after the Steelers' 17-14 win over the Panthers on Thursday night at Bank of America Stadium. "I just felt like once I was free, I wanted to have a chance to be able to play in some meaningful games, you know what I'm saying?

"They don't really miss the playoffs, so I'm like, I just wanted to be a part of something where I could play in the playoffs."

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It didn't hurt that the Steelers employ a couple of Haden's former Florida teammates in offensive linemen Marcus Gilbert and Maurkice Pouncey, both members of the 2009 Gators team that finished 13-1 with its lone loss coming at the hands of national champion Alabama. Haden also has relationships established with head coach Mike Tomlin and star wideout Antonio Brown. And there's good reason those guys should want Haden in the secondary.

Steelers cornerbacks combined for just four interceptions last season. Haden had three picks alone in 13 games, and he has only been a shadow of his former self in recent years. Most analytical evaluations grade Haden as below average or poor at his position, but he is also finally healthy after dealing with concussion issues in 2015 and a groin injury which required surgery this past season.

Pittsburgh is willing to bet Haden at 100 percent is still capable of being a game-changer. The Steelers could desperately use one if they hope to get past the Patriots and reach the Super Bowl. Tom Brady is 10-2 in his career against the Steelers (including the playoffs), most recently carving up their zone schemes in the 2017 AFC championship game (32 of 42, 384 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions). You aren't beating Brady without capable corners.

So, what can Haden bring to Pittsburgh after seven seasons in Cleveland? And what happens when Haden returns to face the Browns in Week 1? The 28-year-old covered that and a lot more with reporters Thursday.

On choosing to join the Steelers and interest from other teams: "Once I got released, my agent hit me up and just let me know the options that I had. There was a lot of teams that were interested, so that was nice. But we talked about Pittsburgh, the interest, how excited they were I was available. It wasn't too hard of a decision. We had Oakland, the Cowboys and New Orleans. And Miami. It just felt like a fit for me, man.

"Coach Tomlin, ever since the pro day when he came out to Florida and was talking to us, Pouncey, he worked us all out, it was cool. Then every time I played against the Steelers, I talked to coach Tomlin before the game, every time we play. Just the relationship, and they were super interested in me. I just felt like once I was free, I wanted to have a chance to be able to play in some meaningful games, you know what I'm saying? They don't really miss the playoffs, so I'm like, I just wanted to be a part of something where I could play in the playoffs."

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On the familiarity with the Steelers after playing them twice per season with the Browns: "Definitely. I have my guys, man. Marcus Gilbert and Pouncey, and then AB. These are some really, really cool dudes. I've met Ben (Roethlisberger) a couple times, probably like the Pro Bowls or whatever, just seeing him around. Just a good group of dudes, man, and I just felt like this was gonna be something special."

On if his release came as a surprise: "Yeah, I was definitely surprised. I was super ready. I was prepared to go into the season. I was training for it, and I was just ready to go. It definitely came out of the blue to me."

On what caused his release: "I think it was my contract. I think they wanted me to take — actually, I don't think, they wanted me to take a pay cut. And I wasn't trying to take a pay cut."

On which Steelers reached out to him once he signed: "Marcus Gilbert, then Pouncey, and then AB. All three of them hit me up like back-to-back-to-back."

On what the first game of the regular season against the Browns means: "Super excited. Our first game is gonna be in Cleveland, so it's gonna be special."

On if he expects a few passes to be thrown his way: "Oh, for sure. For sure. Oh, definitely. I was there with those guys. They've been working hard, working their tails off. I'm gonna be ready, because I know they are."

On his new jersey number with the Steelers: "I haven't gotten my number yet. We're still working on it. I don't have my number yet. We've got some shaking up to do. Hopefully, it will work out. If not 23, it's gonna be something in the 20s."

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On if it will be difficult to adapt to a new defense: "No, I don't think so. Not too much. I played with (former Steelers secondary coach and Browns defensive coordinator) Ray Horton. We had the same defense, and I played with him twice. He was my defensive coordinator twice in Cleveland. Just kind of same concepts, just a little bit different terminology. I was with William Gay, just walking up and down the sideline when they were making the calls, and it seems kind of familar."

On his initial reaction to becoming a free agent and the process with the Steelers: "Once I got released and I was a free agent, it was cool because I got to pick my own destiny. I got to figure out where I wanted to go. They definitely had to have the same amount of interest in me, but when my agent was talking to them about how they were super excited, super pumped, couldn't believe I was available and wanted to get me in here, it was cool.

"I felt like it would be a great fit. When I first came when I met them at the hotel, the relationships — the owner, GM, the players, everybody — they just welcomed me and were super excited. It's an exciting time."

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On the attitude difference between the Steelers and Browns: "In Cleveland, we had just been always just trying to grind, always trying to get there, always just — from last season, we won one game, you know? It's just here — we talked Super Bowls in Cleveland — but here it's just a different feeling. It's just like everybody. Just the way the coach talks about it, the way everybody just talks about winning, winning, winning...

"I don't know how to explain it, man. Especially when you have high-powered guys. When you have a Ben walking through your locker room. When you have an Antonio Brown, who's putting up crazy numbers. You have a (Martavis) Bryant. You have Le'Veon (Bell), he's not here yet, but when you just have those type of weapons just all over the place. You have an offensive line, like Pouncey, like Gilbert. These dudes just carry big personalities, and they're confident in their abilities."

On his health status last season and how he feels now: "Towards probably the last seven games of the season, I knew I needed surgery. So, I wouldn't say I was too healthy. Now, I'm 100 percent. I had my surgery, January right after the season. I was rehabbing. I was there for OTAs, training camp, minicamp, everything. I was ready to go, full go."

Groin surgery went Great! Rehab starts now!! First team all pro here I come!!! No excuses just RESULTS!! #HadenNation — Joe Haden (@joehaden23) January 10, 2017

On learning a new defense and being ready for Week 1: "I'm just trying to get the terminology. When they're making those play calls, I'm just trying to see what I would do. Putting myself in position if I was out on the field when they're making those calls. Just getting the terminology, the checks and all that stuff down.

"I don't think (it will take much time to get caught up). Like I said before, I played in a similar scheme with this twice before. I had coach Ray Horton as our defensive coordinator. It's just a little bit different terminology, but I should be able to get it."