The Pittsburgh Steelers have preached precision all offseason. Calculated moves and targeted improvements. No unnecessary surgery on a roster they still believe can compete. That is why NFL analyst Bill Barnwell’s recent trade proposal — sending edge rusher Nick Herbig to the Philadelphia Eagles for quarterback Tanner McKee — should be ignored immediately.
This is not the time for glamorized maintenance to turn into self-inflicted damage.
General manager Omar Khan and team president Art Rooney II have made it clear that the goal is to compete under new head coach Mike McCarthy, not to gut the roster in hopes of a distant reset. Trading away a young, ascending pass rusher like Herbig would contradict everything this organization claims to stand for.
Let’s not sugarcoat it — Pittsburgh’s offseason philosophy already feels a bit conflicted. After hiring McCarthy, the franchise doubled down on the idea of remaining competitive rather than rebuilding from scratch. That stance largely hinges on uncertainty at quarterback.
Yes, Aaron Rodgers exceeded expectations last season. So much so that the Steelers are seriously considering bringing the 42-year-old back for another run. It is a head-scratching thought for fans who believe Will Howard represents the future.
There is also a small but vocal population unsatisfied with either Rodgers or Howard taking the reins. That is the audience Barnwell’s proposal targets. The idea of acquiring a quarterback with untapped upside and real-game experience sounds appealing on the surface. It creates the illusion of solving a long-term question without fully committing to a rebuild.
But here’s where the logic falls apart.
The Pittsburgh Steelers cannot afford to lose Nick Herbig in a senseless trade
McKee is a former sixth-round pick from 2023 with limited tenure and even more limited production. His role in Philadelphia was noteworthy in flashes, but not definitive. Last season, he totaled 274 passing yards and one touchdown across four appearances. That is not a résumé strong enough to justify sacrificing a proven defensive contributor.
Meanwhile, Herbig has blossomed into far more than a rotational piece. His sack total jumped from 5.5 to 7.5 last season, and he forced four fumbles. Those are game-altering plays. He has become a disruptive presence off the edge and a perfect developmental complement in Pittsburgh’s defensive identity. In a league that prioritizes pressuring the quarterback above almost everything else, willingly giving away a productive young pass rusher feels reckless.
It is clear who carries the better upside right now — and it is not the quarterback with 274 career passing yards.
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That does not mean the Steelers should ignore the quarterback dilemma. Barnwell’s suggestion does highlight the urgency surrounding that position. Rodgers is not a long-term solution. Howard remains unproven. The organization must eventually make a definitive choice.
But solving one uncertainty by creating another is not strategy. It is panic.
If Pittsburgh truly wants to move surgically this season, it must value player capital above all else. Herbig represents growth, development, and cost-controlled production at a premium position. McKee represents hope — and hope alone is not worth surrendering tangible progress.
The Steelers cannot afford to chase hypotheticals while sacrificing certainties. This offseason demands discipline. And ignoring this trade proposal would be a strong start.