With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been in the middle of all sorts of trade rumors. The Steelers would normally not be in that kind of conversation, but with Omar Khan showing his aggressiveness early on in his tenure, there are plenty of reasons to buy into some of the speculation. In fact, a former NFL general manager went on The Herd with Colin Cowherd to urge Khan and the Steelers to make a move. They don't want Pittsburgh to just make any move; they want a splash move that could be even bigger than the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade.
Justin Tafoya / Getty Images
Denver Broncos star cornerback, Patrick Surtain II (#2) makes the signal for incomplete as he looks at the crowd at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver Colorado.
Who Should The Steelers Trade For?
Cowherd was talking about having to face off against the star quarterbacks of the AFC in general. Steve Keim, the former general manager of the Arizona Cardinals, talked about the Steelers needing to make a splash to get Patrick Surtain II from the Denver Broncos.
"The one thing we always talk about is pass rushers, guys who can cover. Those guys are impossible to find, and you look at a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers who's 4-2, isn't the sexiest team on paper," he said. "Their secondary has really struggled. A guy like Patrick Surtain is a guy that you would go after and really make a big run at, because of the talent at that position; it's so hard to find, and the fact that that team is 4-2 and ha struggled to cover players."
The Broncos are reportedly listening on every single player, including Surtain.
Steve Keim thinks the Steelers should make a move for Patrick Surtain...
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) October 27, 2023
"Their secondary has really struggled... That's a guy you go after and really make a big run at." pic.twitter.com/ovEZRfIl8l
Steeler Nation has been clamoring for someone to come in and replace Levi Wallace. Joey Porter Jr. has at least come in and secured one side of the field, but now he needs some help on the other side. A duo of Surtain and Porter Jr. for the outside corner position would be one of the best cornerback duos in the NFL.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. intercepts a pass against the Baltimore Ravens in a Week 5 victory at Acrisure Stadium
Through the first six games, Wallace has allowed a 58.7% completion rate when targeted (second-highest mark in his career), as well as allowing 401 yards by himself, which is on pace to shatter his current worst season of 682 yards allowed. However, there's a chance that he misses the Week 8 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and if he does, that would be a good time to see if the Steelers have enough depth to suffice, or if they do desperately need Surtain to lock down the other side of the field.
Steelers Could Pull Off Another Blockbuster Cornerback Trade
Meanwhile, Surtain is also having a rough year, but it seems to be due to the defensive coordinator shift more than anything. The defense, as a whole. went from one of the best units to one of the worst after hiring Vance Joseph to head their defense. While Surtain's numbers are on pace to be the worst in his career, a change of scenery could be exactly what he needs, similar to the aforementioned Fitzpatrick trade.
Peter Diana / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin works closely with Head Coach Mike Tomlin to call Pittsburgh's blistering defense.
There are questions about Teryl Austin's abilities as defensive coordinator, but if there is one thing that he does right, it's developing defensive backs. Surtain could bounce back to his old self if the Steelers trade for him. The risk worked out for the Steelers and Fitzpatrick, but would it work for Surtain?
What do you think about Steve Keim's comments on the Steelers needing to trade for Patrick Surtain II? Do you think they need to do it? Do you think they will do it? Let us know in the comments.
#SteelerNation.
