Trading one of your best players isn't something a "competitive team" normally does. With that said, the Pittsburgh Steelers now face the possibility of no longer being a strong team after their season-long collapse. Unless something changes in a hurry for the remainder of the schedule, this team could be in for a world of change. They could move out coaches, staff, and players to alter course.
In Gerry Dulac's recent Steelers chat with fans, he wouldn't be shocked to see some franchise-shaking moves this offseason if things continue. Don’t be surprised if even fan favorites like T.J. Watt or Cam Heyward end up being shown the door. They are aging veteran players who appear to be slowing down. Father Time is undefeated, and it may push the Steelers to consider moving them.
"It might be headed in that direction," Dulac responded.
Given how everything has fallen apart for Pittsburgh over the past month, the team appears to be on a crash course toward a rebuild.
Dulac didn’t hesitate to acknowledge that the franchise’s current trajectory could eventually lead to a blowup similar to what the New York Jets experienced at the NFL trade deadline. If the Steelers considered moving Heyward or Watt this offseason, it would be a clear sign that a full rebuild is kicking into high gear.
Pittsburgh Steelers could trade T.J. Watt this upcoming offseason for the right price
At this point, the Steelers are closer to pulling the trigger on rebuilding their football team rather than competing for a Super Bowl. With the recent rumors surrounding Mike Tomlin’s future, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Steelers miss the playoffs. If they don't qualify for the postseason, it could lead to General Manager Omar Khan dangling Watt in trade conversations.
"I would not be opposed to trading away one of your highest-priced guys after the season and hoping you get a No. 1 pick in return", Dulac wrote. "Trust me it is not far-fetched (wink, wink). Problem is, sometimes value depreciates as you go."
If Pittsburgh put Watt on the trade block, it would surprise no one to see plenty of teams immediately interested. He has clearly slowed down, which is troubling since he relies on speed as an edge rusher. He has recorded only seven sacks through the first 12 games of the season. The star defender was paid this past summer, and all he did was prove the Steelers wrong for awarding him that contract.
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As Dulac states in his quote, you should only consider moving him if you can scrape a first-round pick in the upcoming draft or more from a trade partner.
While Watt is having a down year by his standards, he could rebound. He is getting older, so his value will continue to deteriorate, especially if his decreased production this season becomes a common trend. It might be now or never this offseason.
Teams would love to trade for Watt, and it could make sense for the Steelers to move him if they miss the playoffs this year.
They could offload his contract and potentially acquire another high-level pick to move up for a franchise-altering player in the 2026 NFL Draft. A lot of football still needs to happen before Watt hits the rumor mill with force, but it's not out of the possibility if their campaign continues on their current path.