The Pittsburgh Steelers should be pretty active as the 2025 NFL trade deadline approaches, but General Manager Omar Khan is going to make sure that any deal that is agreed upon will benefit the franchise. There is no reason to force anything, especially if the front office in the Steel City is asked to overpay for a specific player that is available. The organization is in the thick of the AFC playoff race; however, that does not mean that trading pieces away is off the table. Khan has proven that he can be unpredictable when it comes to moving on from any given player.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan signs for and meets with fans during the team's 2025 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
A lot of talk has surrounded the Steelers and the expectation that the team will have over 10 draft selections in 2026. This is certainly a positive in case Khan and co. want to make an aggressive move up the board in the first round. What hasn't necessarily been thought of, though, is the fact that Pittsburgh still has a piece or two that could be dealt in order to gain more capital.
There is no question about the team's current quarterback hierarchy. Aaron Rodgers is running the show while Mason Rudolph backs him up. There were definitely some murmurs about Skylar Thompson's strong exhibition play and what it could have meant for a then-injured rookie in Will Howard, but the duo ended up going on Injured Reserve (IR) around the same time as the regular season got underway.
Howard has finally returned and is practicing with the team, but Thompson has yet to have his practice window opened. One of the main reasons why is that the Steelers never keep four quarterbacks in the building during any given season. Thompson's hypothetical activation makes no sense, because it would mean that he would be released. Depending on how his recovery is going from his hamstring injury, he could soon be ready to return, and potentially, then traded.
#Vikings QB Carson Wentz will undergo surgery on his left shoulder and miss the rest of the 2025 season, sources tell The Insiders.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 27, 2025
Wentz gutted it out as long as he could. But he was in severe pain Thursday night in L.A. and now will get the shoulder fixed. pic.twitter.com/PCmvVuoBEL
The quarterback situation for the Minnesota Vikings is a little bit of a mess. JJ McCarthy has not proven that he can stay healthy, and now Carson Wentz will miss the rest of the season. The organization could elect to make a splash for someone like Kirk Cousins, or could opt for a cheaper, but formidable trade candidate instead. That's where Thompson could enter the picture if the team doesn't trust undrafted rookie Max Brosmer.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Skylar Thompson stands on the field next to Quarterbacks Coach Tom Arth as the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
It's critical to be realistic when it comes to Thompson's trade value. The former Miami Dolphins signal-caller is in Pittsburgh on a one-year deal, and would be expected to be released if he was activated off of IR in the Steel City. The best case scenario may either be a late-round selection, or some kind of pick swap, but it's worth a shot for Khan to try if Minnesota is interested.
The Steelers have three quarterbacks behind Rodgers that could arguably serve as backups in a majority of NFL locker rooms. Taking advantage of a shaky situation that the Vikings are wrapped up in could allow for a simple, but respectable move by Pittsburgh's front office. The key is Thompson's health, however. If his hamstring truly has not healed just yet, an already-injured quarterback room in Minnesota would not welcome his services.
AP Photo / Bruce Kluckhohn
Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy gives Head Coach Kevin O'Connell a big hug before Minnesota plays a professional football game at home.
Steelers Are Not Afraid To Be Active In The Trade Market
Khan has taught fans never to be surprised. He could truly make a move at any moment. Not all will be recognized as flashy, but there is an opportunity to add a draft selection if the Vikings, or another team for that matter, needs some experienced help at quarterback. Thompson fits that mold as long as he's healthy, so it will be interesting to see if his practice window is opened ahead of the November 4th trade deadline.
Do you think the Steelers should trade Thompson for a late-round pick? Let us know in the comments below!
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