The Pittsburgh Steelers don't have a long-term solution at quarterback and are still in need of another veteran wide receiver. As a result, one analyst has suggested trades with the Washington Commanders and Indianapolis Colts.
The first Steelers trade suggested by Bleacher Report's Alex Kay is with the Colts and sees Pittsburgh add another young quarterback to its roster to give some semblance of hope for the future.
Here's the proposal from Kay:
- Steelers get: QB Anthony Richardson
- Colts get: 2026 third-round pick
It certainly makes sense to suggest Richardson as a trade candidate, seeing as how he lost the starting competition to Daniel Jones, which could lead to him requesting a trade. Richardson's career has been a massive disappointment, but he's still only 23 years old, so it's not crazy to think he could improve with more development.
With Aaron Rodgers likely to retire after 2025, the Steelers will be left with Mason Rudolph and Will Howard as their default options in 2026. The book is already written on Rudolph and the jury is still very much out on Howard.
It wouldn't be a terrible idea for the Steelers to add Richardson, but definitely not for a third-round pick. Richardson's stock is in the toilet and he isn't worth that much. Now, if the Steelers could give up a Day 3 pick, we'd be on board.
The problem is that would create an even more crowded situation on the depth chart. Pittsburgh is likely to keep three quarterbacks (Rodgers, Rudolph and Howard), so keeping a fourth is out of the question.
If the Steelers trade for Richardson, they'd have to unload either Rudolph or Howard, both of whom could interest the Colts. Rudolph would offer a strong backup option for Indy, and Howard could sit behind Jones as a developmental player for a team that also doesn't have a long-term answer at the position.
Now, here's a look at the second Steelers trade proposal from Kay that involves a deal with the Commanders. Steelers fans can probably guess where this one is going:
- Steelers get: WR Terry McLaurin
- Commanders get: 2026 second-round pick
McLaurin and the Commanders have been locked in a contract dispute as he enters the final year of his contract and he requested a trade last month.
After five-straight 1,000-yard seasons, McLaurin would provide a massive upgrade in Pittsburgh, as the team doesn't have a sure thing behind DK Metcalf. A duo of Metcalf and McLaurin would be one of the better ones in the NFL.
The problem with this proposal is that a second-round pick is too much to give up. Yes, McLaurin is a very good receiver, but he's also set to turn 30 and needs to be extended. McLaurin is reportedly seeking $33 million per year.
It remains to be seen if the Steelers would even want to have a large chunk of their salary cap wrapped up in two receivers, although it's certainly possible general manager Omar Khan would go for it with the team being all-in on 2025.
Based on the circumstances surrounding McLaurin, and based on what we've seen other receivers go for in recent years, the Steelers shouldn't give up more than a third-rounder in a trade for him.
If that trade is available for Pittsburgh, the team should most definitely pull the trigger and bring in a huge boost for the offense.
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