It Is More Clear Now Than Ever That Steelers Will Likely Trade 2 Starters In 2026 Offseason

It is anyone's guess as to how the 2025 campaign will finish up for the Pittsburgh Steelers. As things stand entering Week 14, the team is 6-6 and the only legitimate shot at a playoff appearance is by winning the AFC north. With two contests against the Baltimore Ravens remaining, it is still a possibility; however, the fan base is not exactly encouraged that the collective can show up in the final month of the year. The angst is getting more noticeable and Head Coach Mike Tomlin is very easily hearing about calls for the organization to fire him sooner rather than later.

Barring a miracle, there is going to need to be a serious amount of consideration for turning over the roster come the 2026 offseason yet again. General Manager Omar Khan has tried to get creative in recent years, but nothing seems to be working. The inconsistency remains the same, while top talent can't figure out a way to excel on a week-to-week basis in Tomlin's scheme.

The organization is set to have over 10 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, and those can be used in a number of different ways. Some can be used to trade up, and more importantly, others can be the reason why the team improves the roster with rookies. Overall, a lot of thought needs to go into the strategic usage of the picks. There also will also be opportunities to gain more, or stock up for 2027, which is allegedly a better year for quarterback prospects.

The likes of individuals such as TJ Watt and Cameron Heyward are not going to be dealt, but other familiar names could be. If the 2025 season is any indication, two players that have lucrative contracts could have new homes in just a few months. Taking a look at the offensive snap counts from Week 13, an offensive playmaker continues to be under-utilized.

Pat Freiermuth was supposed to be the franchise tight end for a long time. He inked a four-year extension just prior to the 2024 campaign beginning, but it has gone downhill. He is being out-snapped by Darnell Washington and Jonnu Smith, and the offensive decision-makers seem to be allergic to putting him on the field for more than 50% of snaps each week. If that's any indication, the front office will likely be happy to get a mid-round selection for a talented individual who is barely playing.

Drafted just a year before Freiermuth was edge rusher Alex Highsmith. He also earned himself a big payday when he was eligible for an extension. Unfortunately, he has constantly battled injuries and it's unlikely that the team can continue to justify his high cap number with the emergences of Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer. The Steelers know how to draft pass rushers, and with over 10 projected picks in 2026, a fourth can easily be found while the franchise reaps the rewards of a trade.

Highsmith played nearly double the snaps in Week 13 after his return from a pectoral injury, but that means very little at this stage. Whenever the third-year player in Herbig is on the field, he seems to wreak havoc. He, along with Washington, are eligible for extensions in the offseason. That is what could end up being the determining factor regarding both Highsmith's and Freiermuth's futures in the Steel City.

Steelers Will Make The Wise Business Decision

Freiermuth and Highsmith are talented players and will be in the NFL for a long time. That doesn't mean, however, that they have to be playing in Pittsburgh. The NFL's franchises operate like a business. Trading both players come the new league year will not be due to the pair lacking respect throughout the organization. Sending both off would be smart because of which individuals are just as good, or better, on the depth chart. It's becoming increasingly more likely as each week passes.

Do you think the Steelers are going to trade Freiermuth and/or Highsmith? Let us know in the comments below!

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