Steelers Have NFL Executives Believing They Will "Entertain" An Unexpected Trade For Veteran "In Decline"

Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers are well aware that anything can happen at anytime when general manager Omar Khan is looking to make any kind of significant move. He has proven time and time again since taking the reins in May of 2022 that he is not afraid to be very active in the trade market. There have been multiple instances when an unexpected transaction essentially came out of nowhere. Despite this, he has been relatively quiet since the NFL Draft, and that signals that the front office is either happy with the roster or planning something sizable prior to the season beginning.

One spot on the depth chart that is intriguing to take a look at is the edge rushers' room. Nick Herbig signed a lucrative contract extension, while guys like TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith have already proven to be more than effective at the NFL level. Unless the new defensive scheme with Patrick Graham allows all three to be on the field together often, though, it is going to look like the team is committing way too much money to the group.

The trio makes up one of the best in the entire league, but only one ended up landing in ESPN's top-10 list for edge rushers. Watt came in at seventh; his worst mark in several years. Both Herbig and Highsmith were at the very bottom in the "others receiving votes" category. While remaining in the rankings is a positive, Watt wasn't talked too highly about, according to Jeremy Fowler. 

""Definitely in decline," an AFC exec said. "He's still very good. But some of the younger players have surpassed him.""

On top of an executive believing that the former AP Defensive Player of the Year is declining, Fowler reported that there are organizations out there that believe he could be acquired if the price were right.

"While Pittsburgh plans to utilize all three of its top edge rushers -- Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig -- in 2026, some team executives believe the Steelers might entertain a Watt trade at some point, for the right price."

Watt has spent his entire career in the Steel City and it would be very unlike Pittsburgh to deal someone who has always projected as a "one-helmet guy". However, with Khan making the decisions, anything is possible. The Steelers need a quarterback for the future and if another franchise comes offering a first-round pick for the future Hall of Famer, it might make legitimate sense to consider it.

Watt still has what it takes to be a phenomenal contributor at the professional level. As he has gotten older, he may have lost a step or two, but if he emerges in Graham's defense, the Steelers could quickly shift any potential thoughts of entertaining a trade. Fowler wrote that an evaluator noticed that Father Time is catching up to the pass rusher.

""He can win with his high motor and his flair for the big play, but the burst and get-off isn't the same as it was as a result of lower-body injuries," an NFL personnel evaluator said."

The 2026 campaign is a big one for Watt. If he is productive and healthy, Pittsburgh will likely keep him around and potentially think about trading Highsmith. If it seems as if the Steelers' defense can go on without him, Watt might be dealt sooner than anyone could have expected.

Steelers Have A Very Tough Decision To Make

The fan base in Pittsburgh is not going to be very pleased if Herbig doesn't see a significant boost in playing time moving forward. He has elite speed and elusiveness that pairs perfectly with his splash-play ability. The coaching staff is going to have to get creative, but it's pretty certain that the word is out there regarding Watt. He may be slowing down, but is still effective, and might be able to be acquired for the right price.

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