Steelers Eye Trade for Veteran Wide Receiver
Pittsburgh explores options to bolster offence, potential McLaurin deal raises eyebrows.
Teh Pittsburgh Steelers are actively seeking to enhance their receiving corps, exploring trade possibilities for several pass-catchers. However, a proposed trade for terry McLaurin has sparked debate among analysts and fans alike.
Potential Trade Targets
The Steelers have reportedly inquired about several players, including Jonnu Smith of the Miami Dolphins, Chris Olave from the New Orleans Saints, and Kyle Pitts of the Atlanta Falcons, aiming to provide quarterback DK Metcalf with additional offensive weapons.
McLaurin Trade Proposal
A trade proposal by Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report suggests the Steelers send their 2026 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick acquired from the Dallas Cowboys in the George Pickens trade to acquire Terry McLaurin from the Washington Commanders.
McLaurin is reportedly seeking a new deal and might skip mandatory minicamp, fueling trade speculation.
“Pittsburgh may have to pay a premium in terms of draft capital to acquire McLaurin for a couple of reasons. For one, the Steelers are highly unlikely to be picking near the top of the draft order. Under head coach Mike tomlin, they simply don’t experience sub-.500 seasons. Secondly, the Steelers won’t want to surrender any potential contributors in a trade. Their play for Rodgers suggests they believe they can make a serious run this season. They’re not going to part with a player who can help them achieve that goal.Of course, acquiring McLaurin wouldn’t have to be a one-year investment. With $32.3 million in cap space, the Steelers could afford to lock him up long-term.”
–Kristopher Knox, Bleacher Report
Is the Price Too High?
The proposed trade has been met with skepticism. Trading a first-round pick in 2026, especially when the Steelers may need to draft a future franchise quarterback, is considered a risky move by some analysts.
furthermore, some argue that McLaurin‘s age (30 this season) diminishes his trade value. A similar trade involving DK Metcalf saw the Seattle Seahawks acquire him for a second-round pick and a Day Three pick swap.
According to Statista, the average career length for an NFL wide receiver is approximately 4.5 years (Statista 2023), making age a meaningful factor in trade considerations.
Steelers’ Outlook
With $32.3 million in cap space, the Steelers could possibly sign McLaurin to a long-term deal if acquired. However, the cost of acquiring him via trade remains a point of contention.
Ultimately, the Steelers must weigh the immediate benefit of adding a proven receiver against the long-term implications of sacrificing valuable draft capital.
