8 offseason moves Steelers will regret not making in 2021

Steelers should have traded for Hughes

Not all offseason moves coincide with signing a player, as trades are another valuable way to build the roster. In what should prove to be a low-cost move, the Chiefs traded for the Vikings’ former first-round cornerback Mike Hughes after his disappointing play and off the field issues this offseason. While he certainly isn’t a top name at this point in his career, the Chiefs swapped a 2022 sixth-round pick for him and a 2022 seventh from the Vikings. In essence, they gave up nothing for a former first-round cornerback.

While he only started two games last season and his play wasn’t particularly impressive when he was on the field, Hughes has the size to work in the slot if need be and decent athleticism. He would have instantly been put into the slot cornerback competition though, and considering how thin that position is right now, having a former first-round pick competing there couldn’t have hurt.

The off the field issues and play are a concern, but the compensation to get him was essentially nothing. It would have been a low-risk move with some upside, as a new home could have helped turn his career around. The Steelers had a hole he could have filled as well, giving him a legitimate shot to make an impact. While there would be little guarantee that he would have made the roster, adding him for such a low amount of compensation would have been a smart move.