If the Pittsburgh Steelers are serious about upgrading their wide receiver corps this offseason-and all signs suggest they are-then a name like A.J. Brown entering the trade conversation is bound to turn heads. And if the buzz is to be believed, Pittsburgh might not have to mortgage the future to land him.
Reports indicate the Steelers could potentially swing a deal for the Eagles’ star wideout by parting with something as modest as a third-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft. That’s right-a third-rounder for a 28-year-old Pro Bowler with six 1,000-yard seasons under his belt. In today’s league, where elite receivers are becoming as valuable as franchise quarterbacks, that kind of price tag feels almost too good to be true.
Let’s unpack this.
Brown has been a force since arriving in Philadelphia back in 2022. He’s big, physical, explosive after the catch, and has the kind of contested-catch ability that makes defensive coordinators lose sleep.
Despite some reported tension between Brown and head coach Nick Sirianni, his on-field production hasn’t dipped. He crossed the 1,000-yard mark again last season, continuing a streak of consistency that few receivers in the league can match.
So why would the Eagles even consider moving him?
That’s where things get interesting. Brown is set to carry a $23 million cap hit in 2026, and while that’s a hefty number, it’s not out of line for a top-tier receiver in today’s market. But if the relationship between player and coach is fraying, and if the Eagles are looking to retool or reallocate resources elsewhere, moving on from Brown might be more about locker room dynamics and long-term planning than it is about performance.
Enter the Steelers.
Pittsburgh’s receiving room has talent, but outside of DK Metcalf, it lacks a true No. 1 option. A.J.
Brown would change that overnight. He’d give the Steelers a physical, go-to target who can win on the outside, attack the middle of the field, and make life easier for whoever lines up under center.
He’s the kind of player who doesn’t just fit into an offense-he reshapes it.
Of course, the financial side of this can’t be ignored. Taking on Brown’s contract would require some cap gymnastics, and Pittsburgh would need to be strategic about how they structure the rest of their roster. But when you’re talking about acquiring a proven, game-changing receiver for a third-round pick, it’s the kind of move that demands serious consideration.
Whether the Eagles are truly ready to part ways with one of their most dynamic offensive weapons remains the big unknown. But if Brown does hit the trade market at that kind of value, the Steelers would be wise to make the call. Opportunities like this don’t come around often-and in a league where margins are razor-thin, adding a player of Brown’s caliber could be the difference between a playoff push and a deep postseason run.