Steelers Are The "Perfect Trade Outcome" For Disgruntled Star Wide Receiver

The Pittsburgh Steelers need to have an aggressive offseason in 2025. There are far too many holes on the roster and too many positions that need to be upgraded. Anyone that believes Pittsburgh is truly a quarterback away from being a contender is delusional, as the roster needs a complete overhaul in some areas. The Steelers' main positions of weakness are wide receiver, quarterback, running back, and then a lack of depth at nearly every defensive position. That's a lot to cover in one offseason, but the Steelers could be able to make a serious dent in their roster issues with the acquisition of a star wide receiver.

General Manager Omar Khan has been aggressive in pursuing wide receivers in recent years, and that trend should continue into 2025. One name that is going to be available for trade is Cooper Kupp, as the Los Angeles Rams made their intentions to trade the aging wide receiver clear. Kupp was not a fan of this, and the relationship between the two sides is likely a bit tarnished. There was also a possibility the organization would trade quarterback Matthew Stafford, but he agreed to sign a new deal with the Rams on Friday. 

ESPN analyst Ben Solak believes the Steelers are the perfect landing spot for Kupp, and the Steelers could get him for relatively cheap.

"The optimal world has the Rams swallowing the roster bonus on Kupp to make him more tradeable, then finding a landing spot he likes in a role that suits him," Solak wrote. "My favorite here is the Steelers, as Kupp can be their primary pass catcher (from a target perspective) and George Pickens is their primary playmaker (from a yards and touchdowns perspective). The lack of consistency from Pickens, as well as from the receivers behind him (Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson) was a glaring issue in Pittsburgh last season."

There is no doubt that Kupp would be a serious upgrade at wide receiver in Pittsburgh, even if he is aging and isn't the player he used to be. Kupp does have a $7.5 million roster bonus, and if the Rams agree to pay that, the Steelers should absolutely be interested in the veteran receiver. Not having to pay the roster bonus would bring Kupp's cap hit for 2025 down to $22.23 million from $29.78 million. The Rams have eaten some money in a trade with the Steelers before, and hopefully it can happen again.

Kupp would be an extremely beneficial addition for a wide receiver like George Pickens, and if the Steelers have Justin Fields or any young quarterback starting, the wide receiver would be a great piece to rely on. The Steelers would have to commit financially to Kupp, but he would certainly be worth it.

In Solak's hypothetical scenario, the Steelers don't have to give up much to acquire Kupp. In exchange for Kupp and a 2026 sixth-round pick, the Steelers only give up their 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick. Giving up draft capital is never ideal, but an exchange like this could have an immediate impact in Pittsburgh.

This price tag from Solak is a bit higher than others have projected, but it all will depend on what the market is for the wide receiver. Some have said that Kupp could go for as little as a fourth-round pick. A big factor in that will be how much money the Rams take on, and the organization could command more draft capital with the more money it eats up.

Steelers Can't Miss Out On Wide Receivers Again In 2025

Khan was aggressive in trying to trade for a wide receiver during the 2024 offseason, however he came away with no results. The general manager put all of his eggs in one basket and missed out on some quality players in free agency, and that can't happen again. The franchise needs to stay vigilant on the open market while also trying to work out a deal with the Rams -- if Pittsburgh is in fact interested. The Steelers need results in 2025, and that starts with adding a wide receiver.

What do you think about the Steelers trading for Kupp? Let us know in the comments below!

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