Rumors are flying around the NFL at a quick rate as players sit around to see if they are traded before the NFL's deadline this Tuesday before 4 P.M. There are rumored to be some quality players on the trade block and some bad teams this year could punt on the season and deal some of their star players away.
The NFL normally holds one of the least exciting trade deadlines, but it could be different this time. Many teams have sunk down to an unfixable record and will be looking to acquire draft capital from clubs over the next couple of days. The Steelers should be calling around to see if they can add some fixes to their weak points on the roster.
Yay: The Steelers should acquire Justin Simmons from Denver
Any trade comes with a risk, especially with how up and down the Steelers have performed throughout the first seven weeks of competition. They are in a good spot in the standings despite their issues to start their schedule. If they want to go all in and compete for the playoffs and beyond, they need help in the secondary.
One rumor had Terrell Edmunds potentially returning, and that could make sense on the cheap. Minkah Fitzpatrick lacks chemistry with his safety partners on the roster right now. Adding Edmunds would be an immediate fix in that department. One star player that is rumored to be available from Denver is Justin Simmons, their star safety.
He has been one of the best in the league since being drafted in 2016. He comes with a hefty contract through next season, so the cap logistics could get tricky for Pittsburgh. Simmons would be able to come in and be the best quality safety partner that Fitzpatrick had ever played with. It might cost more to get Simmons via trade, but it would make for a dynamic safety duo.
Nay: The Steelers shouldn't trade for Jaire Alexander from the Packers
Citing the secondary for a lot of the issues for the Steelers defense again here and cornerback is a big problem. A fix could be on the roster with Joey Porter Jr., but the other outside cornerback spot is an issue. It was floated recently that Pittsburgh could be searching the trade market for potential fixes. It still seems like a pipe dream, but it's possible.
Arthur Moats is a former outside linebacker for the black and gold who currently works in the media. He has come out and stated that someone like Jaire Alexander would be a perfect fit for the Steelers and their secondary problem. He has a point as the 26-year-old corner of Green Bay would be a great addition to this defense.
Alexander has been one of the best corners in the NFL since he came into the league, but the biggest issue is his contract. He is under his current deal through the 2026 season. His cap hits in the future are astronomical, but he could be worth the price as those will hit during his prime years. It is unknown if Alexander is available via trade.
One would have to imagine that Pittsburgh would need to offer a substantial package to peak the Packers interest. A first round pick might get a conversation going, but they will also need to figure out the cap issue that Alexander would bring over not only for this season but beyond. There seem to be too many issues going against a possible deal between the Steelers and Packers with Alexander in the fold.
Yay: Pittsburgh needs to investigate options at receiver or tight end
With Diontae Johnson back in the lineup, many will ignore receiver as a need for the black and gold. He was explosive against the Rams, but if he or George Pickens goes down with a lengthy injury, this offense will be even worse than it currently is. Looking at some potential options out there for cheap as insurance might be the best course of action.
Names like Jerry Jeudy or Courtland Sutton might not be realistic options for the Steelers right now. They could also use some help in the slot as Allen Robinson continues to not get many opportunities. Seeing if the Raiders would hand you someone like Hunter Renfrow for free to try out in the slot on a buy low price might be a diamond in the rough.
Tight end has become an issue for the team after it was announced that Pat Freiermuth suffered another injury that will keep him out for at least another four weeks. Darnell Washington has done some nice things, but the Steelers have refused to give him chances in the passing game. There are some names out there that are reliable veterans who could help while Freiermuth is gone.
Looking at pure rentals here as the Steelers would be looking for someone to be a fix for the rest of the season at most. Names like Mike Gesicki and Mercedes Lewis are two names that pop out when it comes to players that are not insane cap hits and that would be pure rentals. Gesicki would be a nice passing option, and Lewis is a veteran player who can block and sneak out for a pass from time to time.
Nay: They do not need to add an edge rusher before the NFL Trade Deadline
Some have floated the idea of the Steelers trying to reach and acquire a potential edge rusher. It makes little to no sense for the club to trade for an outside linebacker this year. Both T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are healthy and firing on all cylinders. The only way Pittsburgh should consider a deal is if Watt or Highsmith were to get hurt this Sunday against the Jaguars.
Even if one of them misses time, both Markus Golden and Nick Herbig are waiting in the wings for bigger roles. It would not be ideal to have Golden or Herbig in a starting role, but Herbig is starting to grow into a quality young player. The Steelers will not trade for one of the top edge rushers on the trade block, and they should avoid the position.
Brian Burns of the Carolina Panthers is the top target on most trade boards before the deadline passes. He would likely cost a lot of picks to acquire, and he is searching for a contract extension once this campaign concludes. It makes little sense for the Steelers as Burns is a starter and would be nothing more than a role player in Pittsburgh.
Another name that has gained plenty of interest since this past offseason has been Chase Young of the Washington Commanders. He is a quality player when healthy, but he has not been able to stay on the field. He is looking for a new contract between now and this upcoming offseason, which is another negative. Young and the Steelers make more sense than Burns, but the black and gold will pass.
Yay: The Steelers should trade for Patrick Surtain II depending on the price
Perhaps the most interesting rumor going around right now might be the Steelers interest in adding Patrick Surtain II of the Denver Broncos. It would likely mirror a deal that brought Minkah Fitzpatrick to Pittsburgh in his respective trade. Surtain is a quality young cornerback that could fix a lot of the issues that the black and gold are dealing with.
It might cost them an early round pick in the upcoming draft, but they would have a young corner under contract through the 2024 season where they could decide to enact his fifth-year option since he was a first-round selection in the draft. Surtain would be a tremendous get for Pittsburgh before the NFL trade deadline passes.
It would allow for Patrick Peterson to go into a more flexible role that has been teased by coaches since he signed with the Steelers. Having Surtain on the outside mirrored by Porter on the opposite side of the field would be a great duo. It would solve the starting corner problem through this season and next and could extend through 2025.
The Broncos are interested in selling off some of their quality players to gain some draft picks back. Their team is in a world of hurt right now, and their players would love a change of scenery. Surtain would be joining a defense that has been able to turn the ball over and keep their offense in games. It worked with trading for Fitzpatrick years ago, so maybe Omar Khan will try that line of thinking again.