Steelers Could Face Potential Nightmare Scenario With Recent AFC North Mock Trade

In the 2026 offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens have had to replace their coaching staffs. Mike Tomlin stepped down after the team's crushing defeat in the Wild Card Round, and the Ravens fired John Harbaugh after 18 years of service. Both new coaching staffs started the offseason with a bang. The Steelers had a huge day one of free agency, and the Ravens landed game-wrecker Maxx Crosby. Baltimore however, backed out of the Crosby deal less than a week later, but still ended up signing Trey Hendrickson. Hendrickson is not the player Crosby is, but he comes cheaper and is still very effective. 

The Ravens' roster still has holes, especially on the offensive side. The offensive line is in shambles, and the receiving core might be worse. They haven't been able to find a group of consistent, reliable pass-catchers for superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson. In 2024, they tried Odell Beckham Jr., and in 2025, they tried with DeAndre Hopkins. Both players are on the wrong side of 30 and out of their primes. Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews remain on Baltimore's roster, however. They are good players, but both have the same problem: fumbling in the biggest moments. The team's general manager, Eric DeCosta, will certainly be looking to upgrade the room in the draft and/or via the trade market. 

Matt Okada of NFL.com recently wrote an article on the six best potential landing spots for Philadelphia Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown. He mentions teams like the Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, and the obvious New England Patriots, to whom Brown has been rumored to be dealt most of the offseason. However, the Ravens were also mentioned, sparking a nightmare scenario for Steeler Nation, with Brown potentially playing the Black and Gold at least twice a season moving forward.

"This offseason, the Ravens have brought in a new coaching staff (HC Jesse Minter and OC Declan Doyle) while losing tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, and fullback Patrick Ricard to free agency, so there could be more three-receiver sets in Baltimore in 2026. Both Flowers and Rashod Bateman are decently productive players, but they are better suited as WR2s behind a true 'X' ... like A.J. Brown." 

Recent mock drafts have the Ravens selecting a wide receiver 14th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, but this mock trade has the Ravens using that 14th overall pick and a third-round selection to land Brown. Rather than relying on a rookie, the Ravens would go out and acquire arguably the best wide receiver on the market, much like the Steelers did with DK Metcalf just one offseason ago.

A first- and third-round pick is a high price for the Super Bowl champion, but DeCosta has proven he will give up anything necessary to land big-name players. 

"Daniel Jeremiah recently mocked Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson to the Ravens at No. 14 overall, but what if GM Eric DeCosta could land an already proven No. 1 with that same pick? Plus, Baltimore's first-rounder would be the highest selection Philly could bring in this year among my theoretical packages, giving [Howie] Roseman and Co. their best shot at scoring a top edge rusher. Brown would be the best receiver Jackson has played with to date and upgrade the role played by DJ Moore in Doyle's offense in Chicago."

Steelers Would Have More Opportunity At First-Round Receiver

Though the Steelers traded for Michael Pittman Jr., they are still in heavy need of a receiver. Mike McCarthy's West Coast scheme requires three starting-caliber receivers, and their roster currently lacks that. If the Ravens make the suggested trade for Brown, that would likely eliminate them from drafting one of the top prospects early on. This scenario would allow the Steelers to land a player like Jordyn Tyson or Makai Lemon. 

Obviously, the Ravens' acquisition of Brown would be less than ideal for Steelers fans, but it creates an opportunity for Pittsburgh to land its next great receiver. 

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