Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine recently published an article outlining one trade he believes each NFL team should pursue this offseason. The Pittsburgh Steelers appeared in several of the proposed deals, suggesting they could be active in the coming months. If Ballentine’s scenarios were to come true, the Steelers would end up making four trades in what could become a very busy offseason.
In those four mock trades, Ballentine suggests that Pittsburgh could end up dismantling much of its defense this offseason. The Steelers would be shipping out Jalen Ramsey, Patrick Queen, and Nick Herbig in these scenarios. They would gain draft picks, Mac Jones, and Riley Moss.
If these moves were to happen, it would create a whirlwind of an offseason, and not all of the decisions would be met with positive reactions.
Bleacher Report's mock trades for the Pittsburgh Steelers provide a mixed report card
Mock Trade Grade for the Pittsburgh Steelers: B
This trade isn’t particularly exciting when considering the value Pittsburgh might receive. In fact, getting any compensation for moving Ramsey would be a win for the Steelers. The veteran defensive back was inconsistent last season and no longer appears capable of starting at cornerback. He performed reasonably well at safety this past year, but nothing stood out as exceptional.
The Cowboys offered a fifth‑round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, which is solid value for a player who might be viewed as a potential cap casualty. Ramsey is no longer the player he once was, but he isn’t a liability either. His recognizable name draws attention, but no one should expect elite production from him. Pittsburgh will likely keep the versatile player, and a trade appears unlikely.
Mock Trade Grade for the Pittsburgh Steelers: A
General Manager Omar Khan spoke highly of Patrick Queen at the NFL Combine, noting the organization’s and the player’s mutual interest in staying together. Many assumed Queen could become a cap casualty, as releasing him would save the team more than $13 million in cap space. He is under contract through next season, which could lead the veteran linebacker to seek a new deal.
Queen has not played well since signing with the Steelers in the 2024 free‑agency period, and his inconsistencies have become a concern.
Many expected him to develop into a top defender for Pittsburgh, but the opposite has occurred. On the rare occasions when he is performing well, he can truly excel, but those moments do not happen often. If this mock trade were to happen, it would be a significant win for Khan.
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Mock Trade Grade for the Pittsburgh Steelers: B-
One need that is currently flying under the radar is cornerback. Several key players at the position are set to hit free agency, and there are limited options behind them ready to step in. Pittsburgh must find a way to address its issues in the secondary, and adding talent through free agency and the NFL Draft should be a top priority. In this trade scenario, the team brings in a quality defensive starter.
Riley Moss appears to be running out of room within the Denver Broncos organization. The team has invested heavily in its young secondary, and Moss is due for a significant raise. For Pittsburgh, he would provide a dependable starting cornerback with extensive experience. The Steelers must identify a long‑term, reliable option to play opposite Joey Porter Jr., and Moss fits that need.
The main hurdle, however, would be the sizeable contract extension that would likely follow.
Mock Trade Grade for the Pittsburgh Steelers: D-
It would be difficult for Steeler Nation to accept this deal proposed by Ballentine. Landing Mac Jones isn’t the worst idea, especially considering the success Sam Darnold has experienced during his resurgence. The hope in this scenario would be to acquire Jones so he could sit and learn behind Aaron Rodgers for a season, and then potentially develop into a Darnold‑like success story afterward.
This would be Khan’s boldest move yet, and it would certainly put his job at risk.
Trading away Nick Herbig, along with a draft pick, to acquire a former first‑round bust would be an enormous gamble. Jones should not be ruled out as an option, but Pittsburgh cannot justify paying a price anywhere near this. Including Herbig in such a proposal would be a tough loss. He is a rising star, and giving him up alone makes this deal difficult to accept.