The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves at a familiar crossroads at quarterback, with their latest experiments—one-year rentals of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields—now in the rearview mirror. As the team plots its future, the question looms: How will they secure a long-term solution at the position?
Potential Solutions
Options abound: a bold trade, dipping into free agency, or taking a swing in the NFL Draft. Each path comes with its risks and rewards, and speculation is running wild. But leave it to FS1’s Colin Cowherd to stir the pot with an audacious proposal that could reshape the NFL landscape.
Cowherd’s Blockbuster Proposal
On a recent episode of The Herd, Cowherd suggested the Steelers pull the trigger on a blockbuster trade to acquire Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft. The proposed price? Linebacker T.J. Watt, wide receiver George Pickens, and two first-round draft picks.
“The Steelers have been putting band-aids on (at QB) for six years,” Cowherd argued. “I think they have to rip it off. I would trade T.J. Watt, George Pickens, and two first-round picks if your scouting department said Shedeur Sanders is the guy. I think Cam Ward is going No. 1, but you could get Sanders at No. 5, 6, or 7.”
Cowherd’s take, like many of his hot-button proposals, hinges on boldness, but it also raises significant questions.
The Devil in the Details
Cowherd’s vision has a few glaring flaws, starting with the trade logistics. While intriguing on paper, who exactly would be the Steelers’ trade partner in this scenario? Additionally, the financial implications are significant. Trading Watt and Pickens would leave Pittsburgh with $11 million in dead cap space, a hefty sum for a franchise already navigating tight margins.
Moreover, both Watt and Pickens are in the final years of their contracts, meaning any acquiring team would be inheriting rental players—an unattractive proposition when giving up high-value draft picks in return. This caveat alone complicates Cowherd’s suggestion and underscores how difficult such a move would be to execute.
Is Sanders Worth the Gamble?
Shedeur Sanders, the 6’2”, 215-pound standout quarterback, has skyrocketed up draft boards under the tutelage of his father, NFL Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders. While Sanders has undeniable talent and upside, Cowherd’s proposal involves a steep cost: the Steelers’ two most impactful players and their future draft capital.
Would such a deal be worth it? The two first-round picks alone could give Pittsburgh the ammunition to trade up for a top-tier quarterback without sacrificing Watt and Pickens. Meanwhile, retaining both players keeps the team’s competitive core intact, ensuring stability on both sides of the ball.
A Reckless Gamble or Calculated Risk?
Ultimately, Cowherd’s proposal may be more suited for television drama than practical team-building. While the Steelers undoubtedly need a franchise quarterback, gutting the roster and sacrificing future assets to acquire Sanders would be a high-stakes gamble. Pittsburgh’s front office will need to weigh whether a move of this magnitude is worth the potential reward—or if there’s a more measured approach to ending their quarterback carousel.
For now, the debate rages on, leaving fans to wonder if boldness or patience will define the Steelers’ next chapter.
BREAKING: Steelers confirms decision To Trade T.J. Watt and George Pickens For Top-notch College QB.
