The Pittsburgh Steelers made another blockbuster trade to end the month of June, once again reshaping their roster by adding experienced, top talent on both offense and defense. In a surprising move, the team sent star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick back to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith and All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. While the trade has created a lot of excitement among fans who are eager to see what these veterans can bring to an already improved roster, not everyone is celebrating. Some current players may now find their roles at risk, as the arrival of Smith and Ramsey could shake up the depth chart and shift the team’s plans moving forward.
Al Diaz / Miami Herald via AP photo
Steelers TE Jonnu Smith celebrating a massive touchdown as a Miami Dolphin against the New York Jets.
Recently, Steelers insider Mike DeFabo of The Athletic published an article analyzing this latest trade. In the article, DeFabo broke down the impact of the deal, sharing how it could affect the team moving forward. As part of his article, he highlighted who he believes are the biggest winners and losers of the trade. He specifically named tight end Connor Heyward and cornerback Beanie Bishop as two players who could be negatively impacted by the move, labeling them the "losers" of the trade.
"Connor Heyward (and, to a lesser degree, Pat Freiermuth) could be the losers, along with [Beanie] Bishop," DeFabo wrote. "While Smith’s addition could cut into Freiermuth’s target share, Hewyard’s playing time will be most directly affected — and could put him in a camp battle."
There’s been a good amount of excitement around the addition of Smith, largely due to his versatility. Smith brings the core qualities of a traditional tight end such as strong blocking skills, physical strength, and toughness, but also is a reliable receiving threat. His ability to contribute in multiple ways gives the Steelers added flexibility on offense, making him even more of a valuable asset.
The Steelers have been looking for another reliable receiving option to support veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and Smith now joins the roster as an additional weapon for the future Hall of Famer this upcoming season. With training camp on the horizon, all eyes will be on how this position battle unfolds. Smith will be looking to prove that he was a worthy addition in the trade, while Heyward will be determined to show just how talented he is and earn his spot for his position.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2025 minicamp, Tuesday June 10, 2025.
However, Heyward isn’t the only player seen as a potential "loser" in this trade. Bishop was also named, as the competition at his position has become even tougher with the arrival of Ramsey. In his article, DeFabo noted that Bishop might need to show more flexibility and possibly shift positions in order to stay competitive and keep a role on the roster.
"There will probably be fewer chances for Heyward to contribute on offense," DeFabo wrote. "Bishop was slated to start in the nickel. While he might be in that role at times, his best path to playing time is now to beat out Cory Trice Jr. and others for time in the dime package."
When Ramsey was first linked to the Steelers, there was some concern due to the already solid depth in the secondary. Earlier in the offseason, the Steelers had brought in veteran Darius Slay Jr. to add leadership and experience to a group filled with young talent. Now, with Ramsey officially joining the team, the level of talent and competition in the secondary has risen significantly. His arrival brings yet another seasoned, top talent player into the mix, making the competition for playing time even more intense.
David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Steelers' Darius Slay celebrates after winning a Super Bowl with the Eagles.
The Steelers Have A New Look
It’s not just the tight end and secondary groups that look different; many positions on both offense and defense have had major changes this offseason. The Steelers appear to be striking a difficult balance between staying competitive in the present, while also building a strong foundation for future, long-term success, and that’s certainly not easy. With so many new changes, it will be exciting to see how this changed team performs once the season starts.
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