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The offseason is in full swing. The legal tampering period for NFL free agency starts on Monday, and the official league year begins on Wednesday. Several franchises have permitted or informed some of their star players that they are available for trades.
The Steelers have been no stranger to trade talks in the past, heavily pursuing San Francisco 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk last year and making a swap with the Carolina Panthers by acquiring CB Donte Jackson for WR Diontae Johnson.
General Manager Omar Khan could seek other high-profile trades in the coming weeks. Here are some of the potential moves Pittsburgh’s front office could seek.
D.K. Metcalf (WR, Seattle Seahawks)
As noted above, the Steelers have been relentlessly looking for another receiver to place opposite George Pickens. While there are several free-agent targets available, most are unproven names or veterans entering their mid-30s. (An age where receivers typically fall off and end up in retirement.)
Enter Metcalf, who the Seahawks have permitted to seek a trade. The 27-year-old offers the size (6’4″, 235 lbs.) and pedigree (two-time Pro Bowler) Khan could be looking for.
Metcalf is in the final year of his current contract which owes him a base salary of $18 million which is a bargain compared with what other receivers are commanding on the free market these days. (For example, Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins is set to earn $26 million on the franchise tag for 2025.)
Aside from financials, Metcalf is young and durable. He’s missed few games due to injury over his career, which includes three 1,000-plus yard seasons over six years, and he’s never caught fewer than 900 yards in a single season either. Pairing him with Pickens would be prudent for Pittsburgh, who needs to surround whomever their quarterback will be with viable offensive weapons.
Jonathan Allen (DT, Washington Commanders)
With Cameron Heyward‘s 36th birthday approaching in May, the Steelers not only have an immediate need to “win now” but also have to look toward the future of the franchise on the defensive line.
Both needs can be met with Allen, a 30 year old former two-time Pro Bowler who is on his way out of Washington. Allen missed seven games last season, but has mostly been an iron man for the Commanders since becoming their 2017 first round pick.
Allen provides a pass rushing prowess that’s missing from Larry Ogunjobi, who is roughly the same age and plays the same position as Allen. Ogunjobi enters the final year of his deal with the Steelers this upcoming season, while Allen’s deal with the Commanders is similar, with a $15.5 million base salary (about $5 million more than Ogunjobi.)
What he offers opposite Heyward is someone who could be extended to play several years beyond Cam and boost the pass rush while also being a veteran presence to guide along third-year pro Keeanu Benton. Should Allen return to his Pro Bowl from from 2021 and 2022, where he had 16.5 sacks total in 33 games, he would shore up a eyesore of a position that saw the Steelers gashed by various quarterbacks and running backs in 2024.
UPDATE: That’s how fast things move this time of year! Since publishing a few hours ago, the Commanders have now released Allen and he’s available to sign with anyone.
The #Commanders are officially releasing DT Jonathan Allen. pic.twitter.com/xV38wk7sIl
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 7, 2025
NFL Draft
The Steelers made some moves throughout the last few offseasons, trading away some bench depth while acquiring other players by swapping late round picks. Due to the previous maneuvering, the Steelers have three seventh round selections in the upcoming NFL Draft, but do not have a sixth round pick.
While those seventh round picks aren’t likely to net much more than moving up in one of the mid-to-late rounds (possibly with a pick swap) it’s just enough to slide up the ladder to snag a player they may have their eye on.
Also keep a watch for the above or other trades, as current money on contracts may prohibit teams from doing much more than a late round pick exchange as a salary dump. This recently occurred with Kansas City Chiefs G Joe Thuney, who was sent to the Chicago Bears for a fourth round pick. The Steelers also received QB Justin Fields last offseason for only a sixth round selection.
- Pick 21 (First Round)
- Pick 52 (Second Round)
- Pick 83 (Third Round)
- Pick 122 (Fourth Round)
- Pick 163 (Fifth Round)
- Pick 225 (Seventh Round)
- Pick 231 (Seventh Round)
- Pick 247 (Seventh Round)
Three trades the Steelers should explore this offseason appeared first on Steel City Underground.