The Pittsburgh Steelers have undergone a change in philosophy in the last year with Omar Khan taking over as the general manager. He has shown a penchant for being more aggressive bringing in players from outside of the organization to upgrade the roster, something the Steelers hadn’t been known for previously.
When Khan sees an opportunity to make an upgrade, he pounces. In free agency, he signed cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Chandon Sullivan to shore up the secondary. Linebackers Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts were both signed as well as Pittsburgh overhauled the second level of their defense.
The Steelers have also made some trades with Khan overseeing the front office. They made a jump up the board in the 2023 NFL Draft to land offensive tackle Broderick Jones out of Georgia. They recouped the fourth-round pick it cost later on in the draft as Khan navigated the board well.
Could there be another trade on the horizon for the Steelers? According to Jeff Hartman of Behind the Steel Curtain, Pittsburgh is one of the teams who is interested in acquiring Chase Young from the Washington Commanders.
“Sources inside the Steelers organization made it known the team has a strong interest in acquiring Washington Commanders, and former 1st Round draft pick, Chase Young,” Hartman wrote. “…As the source stated, they’d have to get very creative to get Young and maneuver the cap hits so the team can still have enough room to head into the season.”
Young had the fifth-year option on his rookie contract declined this offseason by the Commanders, meaning he will become a free agent in 2024. That has led to some trade speculation as his future with the franchise is up in the air.
After winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award for the 2020 season, Young has struggled. He had only 1.5 sacks and three tackles for loss in nine games the following season before suffering a gruesome knee injury. That injury cost him all but three games of the 2022 season as well.
With long-term commitments already made to Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, and Montez Sweat next in line, Washington may not be able to keep Young long-term. If that is the case, a team such as the Steelers stepping up to the plate would make sense.
Alas, the salary cap concerns that Hartman mentioned are legitimate concerns. Alex Highsmith is playing himself into a sizable contract and the Steelers would likely pay him as a homegrown player before Young, who would also cost draft capital to acquire.
A three-headed pass-rushing monster of Highsmith, T.J. Watt and Young looks scary on paper, especially when taking into account how good of a run defense that Young is. However, with more pressing needs across the roster, the Steelers more than likely will decide making a deal for Young isn’t worth the price.
