The Steelers are 2-2, but the conversation in Pittsburgh could turn fast if the season slips off track. The team still wants to compete, and nobody inside that locker room is ready to accept another year of sameness. But if the losses pile up before the November 10 trade deadline, some recognizable names could suddenly be in play.
That possibility opens the door for a few players who might draw interest elsewhere, especially if Pittsburgh falls out of the race. Some would be easier to move than others, but the idea is the same: if the Steelers decide the season is going nowhere, they could try to get value back instead of letting the year drift.
Aaron Rodgers is the most unlikely name on the list, but not one that can be dismissed outright. Quarterback play around the league has been shaky, and if a playoff team gets desperate for a starter, Rodgers would want a chance to chase wins. The Steelers believe he can help them reach the postseason, though this kind of move would require a lot to fall into place.
Patrick Queen looks like a much more realistic trade candidate. He’s on an expiring deal, and his inconsistency has continued to frustrate Steelers Nation.
If Pittsburgh is out of the mix when the deadline arrives, Queen would be one of the more valuable pieces the team could realistically move. He hasn’t matched the expectations, but a contender could still see him as a useful addition.
DK Metcalf would be the stunner. His contract makes this a complicated situation, but the Steelers might be willing to absorb part of the cap hit if it means clearing his money off the books.
He still hasn’t become the clear top target Pittsburgh hoped for, and his early-season struggles have only added to the noise. A change of scenery could benefit both sides.
Asante Samuel Jr. is another player whose situation could shift quickly. After a strong summer, the organization took a gamble by shipping out Joey Porter Jr.
Now Samuel is slipping, and injuries are mounting in the secondary. He’s on an expiring contract and does not look like a player likely to return next year, which could make him a trade piece if Pittsburgh wants to salvage something.
Brock Hoffman’s case depends on a couple of things breaking the right way. Gennings Dunker would need to return from injury and be ready to start, and Hoffman would also need to show enough to convince another team to part with assets. He’s helped the offensive line improve, even if the Browns game didn’t go well, and that could make him expendable if Pittsburgh gets an offer.
Jaquan Brisker rounds out the list, though moving him would be a tough one to watch. He’s been with the team barely any time and was close to Joey Porter Jr., so there would be some real disappointment attached to the idea. Still, if the season goes sideways, the Steelers may have to prioritize what helps the organization most, and Brisker could become one of their better trade chips.
In Other News...
Steelers Fans May See Joey Porter Jr. Trade Very Differently Now
The Cowboys acquisition of Joey Porter Jr. came with the usual instant questions about what comes next, but the early read on his approach may ease some of that anxiety. Rather than pushing immediately for a new deal, Porter is reportedly willing to play out his current contract, which gives Dallas some breathing room as it sorts through the longer-term picture around one of its newest defensive additions.
For Steelers fans, that detail may change the way the move is viewed from afar. Porters market value is estimated at around $27.4 million per year, so the price tag is still substantial, but the bigger issue now appears to be how much security and how many years the Cowboys want to offer when the time comes. The contract conversation is not going away, but the early signs suggest this may be more about fit and timing than any urgent showdown over money. [Read more 🡒]
Missing Steelers Fan Case In Cleveland Just Took A Disturbing Turn
A trip to Cleveland for a football game has turned into a search that now carries real weight. Phoenix Phillips, a 24-year-old from Maryland, was last seen downtown after attending the game, and police have said his disappearance is concerning. His phone was found, adding to the unease around a case that has quickly moved beyond a simple missing-person report.
Authorities have also recovered an unidentified body near the area where Phillips was last known to be, though they have not confirmed any connection. The investigation remains active, and online chatter has added another layer of noise around Phillips, with unverified allegations tying him to unauthorized trading and scamming. For now, though, the only thing that matters is the unanswered question of what happened after he left the game. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers LB Cole Holcomb Shares A Feel Good Life Update
For a Steelers defense still trying to settle in through a 2-2 start, Cole Holcomb has had a more personal milestone to celebrate away from the field. Holcomb and his wife, Casey, welcomed their second child this week, a baby boy named Drew Jarrett, or DJ, adding a bright spot to a season that has already had its share of on-field grind for the veteran inside linebacker.
Holcomb has continued to be part of Pittsburghs mix in the middle of the defense, even as the early weeks have brought a little bit of everything, including an NFL fine for a blindside block on a special teams play in Week 3. The newborn news, though, is the kind of update that can reset a players week in a hurry, and it gives Holcomb and his family a memorable moment as the Steelers move deeper into the season. [Read more 🡒]