The Pittsburgh Steelers’ ongoing search for a quarterback upgrade has reached a crucial juncture.
After letting former quarterbacks Justin Fields and Russell Wilson leave in free agency, the Steelers are now faced with a looming question mark under center.
Fields, who signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the New York Jets, and Wilson, who inked a one-year, $10.5 million contract with the New York Giants, both left Pittsburgh without too many tears being shed.
While most people expect the Steelers to sign future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers, the fact of the matter is it hasn’t happened yet.
There are rumblings that Rodgers might not be thrilled about the idea of playing for Pittsburgh and much rather wait to see if the Vikings or 49ers change their minds on him.
With training camp approaching in July, there’s a growing possibility that the Steelers could start the 2025 season with Mason Rudolph as the presumptive starter.
But former player and current ESPN analyst Chris Canty believes the Steelers have an opportunity to solve their quarterback dilemma through a high-profile trade.
Speaking on ESPN Radio’s “UnsportsmanLike,” Canty proposed that the Steelers offer star pass-rusher T.J. Watt to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for quarterback Brock Purdy.
Canty believes the deal would be absolutely irresistible for the 49ers.
Watt, who is entering the final season of a four-year, $112 million contract and is seeking a lucrative new deal, could be just the player the 49ers need to bolster their defense.
“[The Steelers should use] T.J. Watt as a way to be able to pry Brock Purdy from San Francisco,” Canty said.
“The 49ers gutted at defense, being able to add some help for Fred Warner and Nick Bosa. T.J. Watt in that group. [Robert] Saleh now back there as the defensive coordinator.
“[The 49ers] got the 11th overall pick, so they can presumably draft a quarterback if they don’t have to give up that pick in the trade. I don’t know how the 49ers say no to that.”
Purdy, a 25-year-old former Pro Bowler, would offer the Steelers a long-term solution at quarterback, a position that has remained in flux since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement following the 2021 season.
The 49ers, in turn, could use the 11th pick to select a quarterback in the upcoming draft, with potential options including Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders or Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, who has been climbing up draft boards.
Also, as previously mentioned, the 49ers shipping Purdy out of town would be a dream come true for Aaron Rodgers.
Theoretically, San Francisco could sign Rodgers to a one or two year deal, and still draft their future franchise quarterback and have him sit and develop behind the four-time MVP.
While the Watt-Purdy trade would certainly be one of the biggest blockbusters in NFL history, it is a move that could benefit both teams.
The Steelers would be tasked with extending Purdy’s contract, but many insiders have suggested the team would feel more comfortable committing to a proven quarterback for $40 million-plus annually than to Watt, who will turn 31 during the upcoming season.
Watt, a seven-time Pro Bowler and the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, has been vocal about his desire for a new contract extension.
Last week, he stirred up a social media frenzy when he posted a photo of himself holding up a peace sign on Instagram, leading many to speculate that he’s unhappy with the current state of negotiations with the Steelers.
While the 49ers would likely need to agree to a substantial new deal for Watt, even at a figure that could approach the $40 million annually that Myles Garrett received from the Cleveland Browns, it would still be a more manageable cost than what they would face to re-sign Purdy.
The former Mr. Irrelevant, who somehow remains one of the league’s most underrated players, is reportedly seeking a deal in the $50 million-$60 million per year range.
What are your thoughts on Canty’s trade proposal?
The Matthew Stafford – Jared Goff trade is arguably the most even trade in NFL history, as both teams look back on the deal with zero regrets.
Would a Watt-for-Purdy trade be equally as even???
