Steelers Move On From 2024 Rookie In Exchange For DK Metcalf In Bizarre Trade Proposal

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been wanting to upgrade the wide receiver position for a long time, and the 2025 offseason is the perfect time to do so. The Steelers are in the top 10 when it comes to cap space for the 2025 season, and the organization has eight selections in the 2025 NFL Draft. This means General Manager Omar Khan has plenty of resources to upgrade the position through any avenue, and he has plenty of options. Veterans like Cooper Kupp and DK Metcalf are available via trade, while Christian Kirk and Tyler Lockett were released and can be signed.

The Steelers should definitely be in contact with the Seattle Seahawks about a potential trade, however it will take some serious commitment from Pittsburgh to get the deal done. Seattle is apparently asking for a first and third-round pick in exchange for Metcalf, and it is hard to imagine any team is going to fork that over. No organization is going to give up that much draft capital when Metcalf is going into the final year of his deal, and he is going to want an extension wherever he is traded. He is worth roughly $30 million per season, which should hurt his trade value for Seattle.

In an article published by The Athletic on Thursday, Mike DeFabo proposed a trade that could land the Steelers Metcalf. In the proposal, Pittsburgh would give up a 2025 third-round pick, as well as wide receiver Roman Wilson. The Steelers were also projected to sign Metcalf to a three-year extension worth $90 million.

"The Steelers could remake their receiver room by trading for a marquee receiver like Metcalf, inking a free agent and finding a gem in the draft," DeFabo wrote. "Every option will be on the table for the Steelers regarding Pickens, including a trade. It’s not the wildest idea to think about including Pickens in this trade, too, as a way to drive down the price and jump-start the makeover."

Trading for Metcalf, making an addition through free agency, and drafting a wide receiver sounds like a great idea to rebuild the wide receiver room - but Pittsburgh just selected Wilson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was only active in one game during the 2024 season due to injury, but he was drafted initially for a reason. It would seem bizarre to give up on him just one season into his career, although landing Metcalf would be quite the reward.

Wilson's progression so far in his career has been concerning. He was having a good training camp in 2024 before spraining his ankle, which kept him out for the remainder of camp. The rookie battled back from his ankle injury before going down with a hamstring problem that caused him to miss considerable time.

Concerns have also risen after it was reported that Wilson has not inspired any confidence in the coaching staff when it comes to understanding the playbook and his various assignments. These growing concerns could make the front office consider trading him, and for a player like Metcalf, it would certainly be worth it.

Steelers Would Need To Financially Commit To DK Metcalf

Metcalf is going into the final year of his deal in 2025, and when he is traded, he should be expected to sign an extension with his new team. He is projected to be paid $26.1 million per season, but that number can easily increase if there are multiple teams bidding on the receiver. This would likely mean that 2025 would be George Pickens' final season in Pittsburgh, as he is also entering the last year of his current contract. 

Pittsburgh is going to have to make a big move if the organization wants to land Metcalf, but it is certainly possible. He would instantly become a high-impact player on the offense, and he and Pickens would be one of the better receiving duos in the league.

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

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