New Trade Target Identified As Steelers Are Pushed To Make Big Blockbuster Deal For Starting Quarterback

The Pittsburgh Steelers have already undergone a ton of changes during the 2026 offseason as nearly the entire coaching staff is different from a season ago. Mike McCarthy has taken over as the franchise's new head coach, and he is expected to turn the offense around as he is the first offensive-minded head coach for Pittsburgh in over 50 years. McCarthy will have his work cut out for him as the Steelers are still stuck in purgatory when it comes to the quarterback position, and the franchise doesn't seem to be in a good spot to find a starting-caliber quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Pittsburgh needs a solution at quarterback. There is a chance that Aaron Rodgers could come back, but that shouldn't inspire too much hope based on the 2025 season. He is past his prime, and Pittsburgh would probably be better off searching elsewhere for a quarterback. Fans want to see Will Howard get a chance to start, but that seems unlikely as the franchise will probably add at the position. 

ESPN analyst Evan Cohen spoke about the quarterback situation in Pittsburgh during an episode of Unsportsmanlike on Tuesday, and he presented a trade idea.

"If I were the Pittsburgh Steelers, would I give you my first-round pick for Jared Goff?" Cohen asked. "I would, I would. He's young enough at 31 years old where I could get five years out of him better than anything that I've had over the last five years, right?"

Cohen suggested that the Steelers contact the Detroit Lions and attempt to make a trade for quarterback Jared Goff, and he suggested the cost would be the franchise's first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. More picks would probably need to be included in the deal, and taking on that contract would be a serious financial commitment.

This is a fun idea, but the Lions would be silly to part ways with Goff. Detroit does not currently have a reliable backup plan at quarterback, and the team has been highly competitive over the last three years. Detroit is just two years removed from making it to the NFC Championship Game, so the window should still be open when it comes to competing for a Super Bowl. If the franchise parted ways with Goff, there is no guarantee they could find anything close to what it had in the quarterback.

Bringing in Goff as a quarterback would be more of the same for the Steelers. He is an experienced veteran, but he is at the point in his career where his play is going to start declining eventually. Giving up a valuable draft asset while also making a large financial commitment would likely not be worth it for Pittsburgh, and the organization is probably better off going down the path it is currently on.

Goff is currently signed through the 2028 season. His cap hit is over $54 million in each of the next three seasons, and his cap hit in 2026 is nearly $70 million. A trade like this would be a large risk, and the Steelers are not in the right place as a franchise to make a gamble like that.

Steelers Have Other Trade Options That Are Less Risky

The Steelers need to add at the quarterback position, but taking a big swing on a player like Goff would be extremely risky. Other players that could be available via trade would include Tanner McKee, Joe Milton, or even a veteran like Jacoby Brissett. Kyler Murray can also be seen as an option as his future with the Arizona Cardinals is up in the air, and he could be cut by the team. 

If that is the case, the Steelers would be able to sign him for cheap, similar to the situation with Russell Wilson from the 2024 offseason.

What do you think about this trade proposal? Let us know in the comments below!

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