Two reasons the Steelers trade deadline deals reek of desperation

The Steelers made two tradeline deals and neither one was beneficial. Here’s why they reeked of desperation. 

Now that the 2022 NFL trade deadline has come and gone, it’s time to evaluate the trades.  Just to recap, we traded Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears for their second-round pick and we essentially swapped picks with the Washington Commanders for William Jackson III.

Right out of the gate, I will tell you that I do not like either trade.  I understand that sitting at two wins and six losses essentially at the mid-point of the season probably made the Steelers think something had to be done, but I would argue that neither trade improves the team this year.

Some folks would completely disagree with me, arguing that the trade of Claypool was worth it; however, I just don’t see it that way, but having a different perspective on things is what makes the world go ’round.

Here is one reason why I do not like either trade we made.

The Steelers may not put the draft picks we acquired to good use

I wrote an article prior to the trade deadline in which I stated that I did not think we should be sellers at the trade deadline.  Apparently, the Steelers did not read the article, but to summarize, I just did not think that we would use whatever draft picks we would acquire to good use.

I still believe that.  I still believe that trading an established starter playing on a rookie contract for one lone draft pick does not make a lot of sense to me. If we were able to acquire multiple picks for Claypool, I may have a different opinion, but that was not the case.

We will now almost be forced to draft yet another WR in the 2023 draft or to sign a free agent.  Either way, I think we would be taking an unnecessary risk.  As far as the Jackson trade is concerned, I just don’t see how trading for a former first-round pick who was not offered a second contract by his original team elevates the Steelers right now.

Yes, we have holes at the cornerback position and maybe and hopefully Jackson will help us fill said holes, but I just don’t think trading for a player who may have ended up being cut is a smart move.  Not to mention the fact that according to Sports Illustrated, we will be paying approximately three million in salary for what could end up being a one-year rental.

Here is the other reason why I do not like either trade we made.

The Steelers appear to be giving up on the 2022 season

I know that sounds controversial, but to me, Omar Khan and the front office folks all but told us fans that because we are a two-win team right now, we are trading a starting WR for one draft pick, but we are trading for a cornerback who may or may not be able to help us past this year.

In other words, the Steelers front office thought that something had to be done to help the future by detracting from the present, at least that what it appears to be from my perspective.  What player currently on the roster has similar attributes to Claypool?  Is Jackson so much better than any other CB we currently have?

For all I know, we will go on a winning streak and will not miss Claypool and Jackson will become the best cornerback on the team. I really hope that is what transpires, but I don’t think it will.  I think this season will end up being a lost cause.

Having been a Steelers fan for forty-four-plus years, I am just having a hard time wrapping my head around these trades.  I know deep down that the Steelers would not trade a player or trade for a player unless we thought it would improve the team, but, to me, neither trade does that, and it just seems like desperate moves rather than calculated moves.