Tag: Steelers trades

Trade compensation revealed for Steelers new OLB Preston Smith

In their second move at the trade deadline, the Pittsburgh Steelers acquired Preston Smith from the Green Bay Packers. 

In their second move on trade deadline day, the Pittsburgh Steelers acquired former second-round pass rusher Preston Smith from the Green Bay Packers.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the compensation comes in the form of a seventh-round pick.

The 6-foot-5 defender was selected No. 38 overall by the Washington Redskins in the 2015 NFL draft and spent four seasons with the club.

The Packers signed Smith as a free agent in 2019.

In his 10-year career, Smith has appeared in all 155 games (138 starts) and logged 68.5 sacks, 430 tackles (71 for loss), 155 quarterback hits, 10 forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries (two for touchdowns) and five interceptions for 56 yards.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Report: Steelers acquire former 2nd rounder Preston Smith at trade deadline

The acquisition of Mike Williams isn’t the only move the Pittsburgh Steelers made on trade deadline day. 

The acquisition of Mike Williams isn’t the only move the Pittsburgh Steelers made on trade deadline day.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported that the Green Bay Packers sent outside linebacker Preston Smith to the Steelers.

The 6-foot-5 defender was selected No. 38 overall by the Washington Redskins in the 2015 NFL draft and spent four seasons with the club.

The Packers signed Smith as a free agent in 2019.

In his 10-year career, Smith has appeared in all 155 games (138 starts) and logged 68.5 sacks, 430 tackles (71 for loss), 155 quarterback hits, 10 forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries (two for touchdowns) and five interceptions for 56 yards.

 


[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers lose out on potential trade for Seahawks WR D.K. Metcalf

We’ll never know the Pittsburgh Steelers’ true intentions to trade for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf because it’s not happening now. 

We’ll never know the Pittsburgh Steelers’ true intentions to trade for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf because it’s not happening now.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday that “despite any speculation, the Seahawks will not be trading wide receiver D.K. Metcalf by today’s 4 pm trade deadline.”

Metcalf was among several wide receivers rumored to be tied to Pittsburgh before today’s 4 p.m. trade deadline.

As for whether the Steelers are in on any moves today, Mike Tomlin had nothing of value to add. “We work the trade market not only at [wide receiver] but all positions. I think every team does, particularly those of us that are trying to lean in as the road gets narrow, and so I acknowledge that we’re active participants in trade discussions, but to be quite honest with you, we always are, and so I wouldn’t read too much into that behavior. I just think that’s normal prudent business for us. If you’re trying to be a developing world championship outfit.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Mike Tomlin mum on Steelers ‘active’ plan at trade deadline

Pittsburgh Steelers Mike Tomlin offered insight into his team’s trade deadline plans.

As other teams make moves at the trade deadline, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been quiet. While a few hours still remain until time is up, there has only been speculation regarding Pittsburgh’s interest in any particular player.

“We work the trade market not only at that position but all positions,” Mike Tomlin said of adding a wide receiver. “I think every team does, particularly those of us that are trying to lean in as the road gets narrow, and so I acknowledge that we’re active participants in trade discussions, but to be quite honest with you, we always are, and so I wouldn’t read too much into that behavior. I just think that’s normal prudent business for us. If you’re trying to be a developing world championship outfit.”

That’s a Mike Tomlin answer, if there ever was one. No surprise there. He’s been in this league for a long time and doesn’t have to think twice about giving away the Steelers’ true intentions.

Pittsburgh remains resolute on its plan: Always be on the lookout for talent and value.

Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette believes the Steelers could look to bolster defensive line depth. Steelers Nation has been pushing hard for their team to add a play-maker at wide receiver, but aside from making a significant move for someone like D.K. Metcalf or Courtland Sutton, pickings are slim. Adding New York Jets’ Mike Williams or Carolina Panthers’ Adam Theilen would not upgrade what they currently have at receiver. With Diontae Johnson now a Baltimore Raven, it’s doubtful the Panthers would be looking to move the 34-year-old Theieln, anyway.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

DT Cam Heyward named Steelers top trade option

If the Steelers and Cam Heyward cannot agree on a contract, Heyward could be traded.

NFL teams have gotten more and more bold about making player trades during the season If you are a veteran who is making a lot of money or are looking to make a lot of money, you need to keep your head on a swivel.

Pro Football Network listed one player on every team as a potential trade candidate and for the Pittsburgh Steelers, they went with veteran defensive tackle Cam Heyward. Here’s what they had to say about Heyward and a potential move:

There is no denying that Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward will be remembered as an all-time great in franchise history. Yet the Steelers could opt to trade him as he heads into the final season of his final contract. Heyward had just two sacks last season, and Pittsburgh would save $16 million by trading him in 2024.

Hayward is definitely a top option for the Steelers to deal away if they need to. We would submit that running back Najee Harris and quarterback Justin Fields could also be on the move before the trade deadline depending on what happens with the season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

A second potential Steelers trade target appears to be off the market

The Steelers need an experienced starting wide receiver, but it doesn’t appear that it’ll be Broncos’ Courtland Sutton.

With Russell Wilson learning a new system with the Pittsburgh Steelers, a security blanket would certainly be nice to offer some familiarity.

Courtland Sutton, 28, is in a contract standoff with the Denver Broncos and has not participated in voluntary workouts. Only $2 million in guaranteed money remains in the final two years of his contract.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Denver has received multiple trade inquiries on Sutton but has no plan to trade him.

There are no official reports that Pittsburgh was in on it, but it would’ve been smart to make a call.

Sutton was a favorite target of Wilson’s in Denver and snagged a career-high 10 touchdowns in 2023.

The Steelers have yet to adequately replace Dionate Johnson, but it appears they’ll make an attempt (or two) in this week’s NFL draft.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

What would Steelers have to give up in trade for 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk?

What would the Steelers have to give up for a player of Aiyuk’s caliber? 

A Brandon Aiyuk trade has been the hottest topic tied to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason.

The disgruntled wide receiver unfollowed the San Fransisco 49ers on social media this week, a clear sign that ongoing negotiations for a long-term contract are not going well.

For a player, deleting association with a team is akin to changing relationship status to single and removing all photo evidence of your significant other and it does often lead to a parting of ways.

Mandatory minicamp doesn’t start until June, but the Steelers and their fans certainly hope the courtship doesn’t last that long.

What would Pittsburgh have to give up for Aiyuk?

“I think what would be more likely is the Steelers giving up a future No. 2 choice and also swapping first-round picks,” the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac wrote in his April 17 Q&A.

It may sound like a lot, but the Steelers need a top-tier veteran after trading their own in a March to the Carolina Panthers. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Pittsburgh uses a first- or second-round pick on a receiver in the NFL draft, so swapping and giving up one for a proven player is worth it. A rookie is an unknown commodity outside of college-level performance.

If the deal goes down, it becomes a matter of what’s next.

An ideal scenario would involve San Fransisco footing some (or all) of Aiyuk’s $14 million salary for this season. Though Pittsburgh wouldn’t need to extend him this offseason, it’s likely they would because he’s entering the final year of his deal. According to Spotrac, Aiyuk’s market value is $24.9 million, and that sounds like the low end of the final figure.

At 26, Aiyuk hasn’t even reached his prime yet and he’s produced insane numbers (2,357 yards, 15 touchdowns) over the past two seasons. He’ll be around for a contract or two.

Aiyuk is worth it, even if it’s not to the San Fransisco 49ers.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers trade talk: LB Melvin Ingram wants out of Pittsburgh

With the NFL trade deadline just 6 days away, reports that Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Melvin Ingram wanting out are gaining steam. 

With the NFL trade deadline just six days away, reports that Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Melvin Ingram wanting out are gaining steam.

Ingram was signed to the team this summer to bolster positional depth, but according to NFL Network’s Aditi Kinkabwala, Ingram isn’t fond of his reduced role.

Kinkhabwala posted to Twitter today that she was told the Kansas City Chiefs made the Steelers an offer.

This summer, the Patrick Mahomes-led team hosted Ingram for a workout, but Kinkabwala says the Steelers don’t want to send him to an in-conference team.

Ian Rapoport reported that Pittsburgh has listened to and engaged on trade calls for their pass-rusher over the weekend.

[vertical-gallery id=502502]

[lawrence-related id=502607]

Steelers’ Avery Williamson talks about going from 0-8 in New York to 7-0 in Pittsburgh

The new Steelers linebacker will fit in just fine in Pittsburgh.

Avery Williamson struck gold on Sunday when he was informed he was being traded from the worst to the best.

“Going to an undefeated team is kinda crazy,” Williamson said in an interview with Barstool Sports’ Joey Mulinaro. “But everyone [Jets teammates] was super supportive. I’m gonna miss my guys.”

Williamson comes to Pittsburgh as a player who already embodies the Steelers Way — he is confident about his talents but remains humble.

“I’m a tackling machine. I get to the rock. I’m always trying to get the ball out. I’m gonna make stuff happen — whether it’s a forced fumble, a sack, TFL… I feel like this team is set up for linebackers to make a lot of plays.”

“I haven’t been part of the seven wins that they’ve accomplished,” said Williamson. “I’m just ready to get to work with these guys, get to know them and learn this playbook — share some sweat with these guys.”

courtesy of @awilliamson54 IG

The Steelers are on the right path, but Williamson fully understands that there’s a long road ahead for the team.

“The job isn’t finished until we get that Lombardi,” he said.

The seven-year veteran has 546 tackles (26 for loss) and 14.5 sacks. He also has four interceptions, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 17 pass breakups.

Though he’s only a “rental,” Avery Williamson will fit in just fine in Pittsburgh.

[vertical-gallery id=480802]

[lawrence-related id=480787]

What are the Steelers getting in LB Avery Williamson?

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin says making the trade for Williamson was the ‘prudent thing to do.’

News broke during Sunday Night Football that the Steelers were indeed making an in-season trade after all.

Depth was uncomfortably thin at inside linebacker after Pittsburgh lost Devin Bush for the year. While Robert Spillane been playing lights-out, the Steelers needed to solidify their linebacker corps.

They did so by bringing in veteran Avery Williamson via a trade with the New York Jets. Pittsburgh sent their fifth-round 2022 pick in exchange for the linebacker and New York’s 2022 seventh round.

Selected in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans, Williamson signed with the Jets in free agency in 2018. He enjoyed a team-high 120 tackles that season but tore his ACL during the preseason last year and underwent season-ending surgery.

Williamson, 28, has appeared in seven games (six starts) this year and recorded 59 tackles, three pass breakups and an interception.

Being signed by the Steelers reunites him with outside linebacker Bud Dupree, who was his teammate at Kentucky. Williamson recorded 296 tackles (10 for loss), four sacks and two interceptions with the Wildcats.

“At the early stages of his career, he played in Tennessee in a system of defense that was very similar to ours, not only in terms of how it was constructed but also the language itself,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said in his weekly press conference. “He’s a guy who fortifies depth in an area in which we’ve been challenged recently.”

“So at the trade deadline, we thought it was necessary, if we had an opportunity, to get a known commodity, one like Avery Williamson who we were somewhat familiar with and who was somewhat familiar with our schematics, and put him into the fold.

“With as much ball as we have that lies ahead, it was a prudent thing to do, and we’re excited about having him.”

In his seven-year career, Williamson has 546 tackles (26 for loss) and 14.5 sacks. He also has four interceptions, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 17 pass defenses.

Ulysees Gilbert, who everyone was hoping would contribute this season, has not been able to stay healthy. He injured his back in college and it’s been an on-and-off issue ever since. On Wednesday, Gilbert was placed on injured reserve for the second time in as many seasons.

Expect the division of labor to be between Spillane, Williamson and safety-turned-linebacker Marcus Allen.

[vertical-gallery id=480471]

[lawrence-related id=480746]