Here are three potential blockbuster trades for the Steelers to acquire Ertz
While the Steelers are rarely big players in the trade market, this offseason could change that. With a plethora of talent set to depart as free agents, bringing in a new crop of talented options will be key in the team remaining competitive in 2021. Reports are saying the Eagles will try to trade veteran tight end Zach Ertz, and if he is on the table, the Steelers ought to be calling. Here are three trade packages for the team to try and acquire Ertz.
Why this trade works
Before delving into the actual trade offers, it is important that the reason this trade makes sense is broken down. For the Eagles, Dallas Goedert is set to become the starter and Ertz is looking for a new contract. As well, he is coming off his worst season as a pro and is over 30 years old. The Eagles will try to get his contracts off the books and look to start their younger option at tight end.
As for the Steelers, they could easily extend him for two or three years to get his first-year cap hit down. As well, if he is brought in, he would make Eric Ebron expendable, meaning more cap space would open from this deal. Finally, this draft class isn’t particularly strong at tight end. Hat means trading for more of a sure thing makes sense for the team. Ertz is as good as they come when healthy, and he would fill a hole they have been trying to fill ever since Heath Miller retired.
Trade package 1:
The most straightforward of deals, at this point in his career, Ertz isn’t worth a first-round pick, but his immeasurable talent makes him a fair value for a third-round pick. This deal would be a win-win for both sides. The Steelers invest a high pick in a tight end, something they haven’t done in a long time, while the Eagles get a valuable pick that they can use to aid in their pending rebuild.
While some fans will say the Steelers could just draft a tight end in the third round, that will likely be simpler said than done. The top three tight ends in this class will likely be gone before the Steelers pick again in the second round, and after them, the class thins out. Here, the team gets a guy they can rely on to start and hold down the position for the next three or so years. This opens up their first and second-round picks as well since the tight end need would be filled. This allows the team to address other needs instead.
As for the Eagles, they can look to add a receiver in this deep class during the third round. While when healthy, Ertz would typically be worthy of a first-round pick, his bad season and contract disputes mean the Steelers get him at more of a bargain. This doesn’t hurt the Eagles though, as they have a tight end ready to start in his place. This trade has value on both sides and would be well worth exploring for either team.
Trade package 2:
This move gets a little trickier, as it involves more moving parts than the previous deal. That said, doing this would allow the Steelers to keep both of their day two picks, a huge plus for a team that will need to focus on rebuilding. It does come at a cost though, as Justin Layne is a former third-round pick who was a developmental cornerback.
That said, it seemed like James Pierre jumped Layne on the depth chart by the end of the year. That mixed in with Layne’s mediocre play could cause him to be dealt as a result. He should still have some value given his age and athletic profile. While the team would be hard-pressed to get the third-round pick that they invested in him back, they could use him as a package for a trade like this.
As for the Eagles, they get an outside cornerback they can try to start alongside Darius Slay and still get some draft compensation in return. A trade like this seems to favor the Steelers slightly, but given the need at cornerback for the Eagles, giving up a little extra could be necessary to get Ertz off the books. They get a young player filled with potential as well as an additional draft pick to play with. It should still be seen as a win for them.
Trade package 3:
Steelers get: Zach Ertz, TE, 2022 7th round pick
Eagles get: James Washington, WR, 2021 6th round pick
While this trade would hurt their short-term depth at receiver for the Steelers, it allows them to get a longer-term option at a position of need. James Washington was buried on the Steelers depth chart this year due to the emergence of Chase Claypool. While the team is set to lose JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency, they could opt to move on from Washington as well given his contract status.
More than likely, 2021 will be Washington’s last with the Steelers as his rookie deal expires after that. While it would hurt to lose two starting capable receivers, the team could work around it. The Steelers are notorious at drafting receivers, so they could get the needed replacements via the drafts. As well, they could also opt to sign a cheap veteran to also help fill out the depth chart.
As for the Eagles, they land a solid receiver that can help lead their struggling group in 2021. As well, they could give him an extension as well to ensure he is around long term. Washington flashed in 2020 and he was arguably the team’s most consistent receiver during the later portion of the year. The Eagles could do well with a receiver like that. The swapping of late round picks is there to simply sweeten the pot, as the majority of value is found in the players trading teams.
Assuming the Eagles are determined to deal Ertz, the Steelers would make a great landing spot for him. They have a need at tight end and Ertz’s value should be low considering he has wanted out of Philadelphia for a while and injuries ruined his 2020 campaign. He would fill a huge need and would be a trade worth pursuing this offseason.