The Pittsburgh Steelers have been the epitome of consistency during Mike Tomlin’s tenure as head coach. He has never had a losing season with the franchise, but that streak could be coming to an end in his 16th season at the helm in Pittsburgh. With the trade deadline approaching, could the Steelers consider dealing with the Green Bay Packers?
The Steelers are currently 2-6, struggling in virtually every facet of the game. Their defense has fallen apart without star pass rusher T.J. Watt and the offense has been bumpy since the first snap of the season. Mitchell Trubisky was unable to help elevate the offense and rookie Kenny Pickett is going through some growing pains.
That puts Pittsburgh in an unfamiliar spot as they could be sellers ahead of the trade deadline. Acquiring more draft capital so that they can fill more gaps on the roster next off-season would be a good plan for a team that looks like it is going nowhere this season.
There has been some interest shown in wide receiver Chase Claypool, whom the Steelers do have a high asking price on. They were reportedly seeking a deal similar to the one that the Carolina Panthers landed in exchange for Christian McCaffrey, which was a second, third and fourth-rounder in 2023 and a fifth-rounder in 2024.
That is a steep price, but there are desperate teams out there that could be willing to pay a premium price to upgrade their offense. One of those teams is the Green Bay Packers, whose season is hanging in the balance with an offense that sorely misses Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
But, could they try and acquire another Steelers receiver? Diontae Johnson would be worth paying a big price tag for given the team-friendly deal he signed this offseason that is below market value.
Pittsburgh likely won’t trade Johnson, but if they are offered a second and third-round draft pick, they would think long and hard about making a deal. Desperate for a veteran to help hold down the fort while the young players continue developing and earning the trust of Aaron Rodgers, Johnson would certainly fit the bill.
All of the reasons that the Packers would want Johnson would apply to the Steelers as reasons they don’t want to trade him. But, with so many holes on the roster and their propensity to hit on mid-late round receivers, the Steelers may be willing to talk trade if they are receiving multiple Day 2 picks.
