Potential Trade Partner For Steelers Emerges After Scary Development In The NFC

Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers never really know what general manager Omar Khan may be up to. Since taking over the lead role of the front office role back in 2022, he has been somewhat unpredictable in how he operates. Trades have come out of nowhere and some strategic compensatory pick strategies have been put into place. The team has been relatively quiet throughout the summertime, which means the front office is either lurking in the shadows or completely content with how the roster looks. Regardless, 2027 is a year in which draft capital is going to come at a premium, and it wouldn't hurt to have some extra.

One area where the Steelers could actually have a surprising amount of depth is at the offensive tackle position. This is all going to depend on Broderick Jones and how he has recovered from neck surgery. If he starts on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, then there might be a little bit more concern about what is going on on the right side.

Jones, Troy Fautanu, Spencer Anderson, Dylan Cook and Max Iheanachor all could play the tackle spot. Anderson could be in line to be he starting right guard, but a lot of his experience with the Steelers has been at tackle. If, and that is a big if, Jones is fully healthy and cleared for contact, Pittsburgh and Khan might have just found a trade partner for someone like Jones or Cook.

On Tuesday evening, news broke that the Carolina Panthers' starting right tackle, Taylor Moton, was diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung. This will now lead to him missing time. If rookie Monroe Freeling is not ready to go early on in training camp, the organization could pursue other options.

"Carolina Panthers starting right tackle Taylor Moton was diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung late last month and will miss regular-season time, the team announced Tuesday. The Panthers said Moton will be placed on the non-football injury list," ESPN wrote. "Moton was placed on blood thinners after his diagnosis and is responding well to that treatment. He is being assessed daily by the Panthers' medical staff."

On top of Moton's recent medical situation, Carolina's projected starting left tackle, Ikem Ekwonu, also needs thing to progress properly for him to be ready to go for September.

"Panthers left tackle Ikem Ekwonu also is likely to be sidelined for at least the start of training camp after suffering a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee in Carolina's wild-card playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams in January."

It's safe to say that the Panthers might be in the market for an experienced tackle, and the Steelers possess the depth to trade one, but only if Jones is ready to go. That is something that everyone will know more about when the team reports to Latrobe.

With Iheanachor expected to take the reins at some point, it might be possible that the Steelers view either a healthy Jones or Cook as a trade piece. At this time, neither would warrant a massive return, but it's something to consider given how valuable an extra pick or two might be come 2027.

This is merely a hypothetical trade scenario because of Jones' health situation. Similarly to both Panthers tackles, the Steelers' three-year starter has his own questions to answer. The good news for Pittsburgh is that Carolina might give the rookie in Freeling time to prove himself during camp. If he struggles and Jones is practicing with no restrictions, it could open the door for some discussions regarding one of the Steelers' offensive linemen.

Steelers Will Never Say No To Trade Discussions

Khan will always pick up the phone for an opposing general manager. That doesn't mean he will necessarily be interested in seriously engaging in a possible deal, but he has made that precedent clear. It's better to have teams know that you are always willing to at least listen, rather than them thinking it's not worth it to reach out. A lot of eyes will be on Jones in the coming weeks, and all of those might not be solely from the Steel City.

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