Major news broke recently that the Baltimore Ravens were trading for veteran edge rusher Maxx Crosby. The Pittsburgh Steelers would be wise to make a note of the price.
Crosby has consistently been one of the better pass rushers in the NFL. That said, his past few years have been lean, as he has only recorded 17.5 sacks over the past two seasons.
Sound familiar?
Like Crosby, T.J. Watt has been one of the top edge rushers in the league, but has fallen on some tough times over the past few years. That said, Watt has historically been the better player in terms of overall league standards.
With the Ravens trading two first-round picks to acquire Crosby, the Steelers now know what a realistic asking price is for Watt. The team would be wise to listen to offers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could trade T.J. Watt for a similar haul to what the Raiders got for Maxx Crosby
A lot has been speculated on what the Steelers should do with their edge rushers this offseason. They are three deep with Nick Herbig now expecting a big deal. Watt is the highest paid but hasn’t lived up to the contract in recent years.
My initial thought was that there was no way the Steelers could get even a first-round pick for Watt. Given his contract and recent struggles, that felt rich. However, Crosby is a similar story but has just fetched a hefty price.
If the Steelers could get two first-round picks for Watt, I’d entertain that offer. You can turn around and pay Nick Herbig, and you add additional ammo to draft your QB in 2027. You also get a massive contract off your books.
I was shocked to see Crosby net two first-round picks. But since he did, why can’t Watt? There are plenty of pass-rushing needy teams, and Watt would certainly fill that void.
I went into this offseason thinking that you would be lucky to get a second-round pick for Watt based on his production and contract. We just saw a similar player go for far more.
In short, the Steelers just got their price tag if they want to trade Watt, and the team would be wise to listen to offers.