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This page lists all the 2024 Trades for the Pittsburgh Steelers. I’ve listed all of the NFL Free Agent Signing Grades here, which included the trades. Because I’ve begun posting polls for the trades, I thought it would make sense to list just the NFL trades here, so archiving the voting would be easier.
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- Total Trades: 5
- Average Grade: B (86.8)
November 2024 – Trades and Signings
Steelers acquire DE Preston Smith from Packers for 7th-round pick
The Steelers traded for Mike Williams, but they weren’t done. They wanted to bolster their defense, so they did so by acquiring Preston Smith for a seventh-round pick.
Getting Smith a couple of years ago would have been much better because Smith is no longer the dominant pass rusher he once was. He’s seen his snap count decrease in recent weeks, and he’s recorded just three sacks this year. Still, he’ll be able to help with the pass-rushing depth, which took a hit because of some injuries. I like this move for Pittsburgh.
As mentioned, Smith was playing less and less for the Packers, so I understand the trade. Still, if I were the Packers, I’d rather have the edge-rushing depth than a mere seventh-round pick.
Grade for Steelers – B+
Grade for Packers –
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Steelers acquire WR Mike Williams from Jets for 5th-round pick
This is like the dorky high school kid in the movies settling for his eighth choice to go to prom. The Steelers have been trying to trade for receivers since the summer, targeting the likes of Brandon Aiyuk and Christian Kirk. They finally found a new wideout, obtaining Mike Williams from the Jets.
Williams has been productive in the past, but he’s coming off a torn ACL, so he’s not going to have his explosion this year. He’s also clueless when it comes to route running, so he can’t use that to compensate for the lack of explosion.
I don’t like this trade for the Steelers. I get why they did it, but it reeks of desperation. The Jets won this deal, as getting something halfway decent for their No. 4 receiver has to be considered an easy victory.
Grade for Steelers – C
Grade for Jets – A
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March 2024 – Trades and Signings
Steelers acquire QB Justin Fields from Bears for 2025 conditional third-day draft pick
Rumors floated around that Mike Tomlin was a huge fan of Justin Fields, but Pittsburgh no longer seemed like a viable option for Fields in the wake of the Russell Wilson signing. How could the Steelers justify spending significant resources on Fields after signing Wilson?
Well, we have our answer. And that would be that the Steelers didn’t. Pittsburgh is relinquishing just a 2025 sixth-round pick that could turn into a fourth-rounder based on playing time. Of course, the real cost is spending money on Fields’ impending contract, but it’s not like the Steelers are ever in a position to land a franchise quarterback, given that their great defense and coaching staff will prevent them from having one of the worst records in the NFL.
Still, this is a slam dunk for the Steelers, who may have their quarterback of the future. Fields has injury concerns, but if he can remain healthy, he’s talented enough to lead Pittsburgh to a deep playoff run.
The Bears, meanwhile, lost this trade by a mile. I don’t know what they’re thinking. They should have taken a page from the Eagles’ playbook when Philadelphia had Sam Bradford and drafted Carson Wentz second overall. Instead of trading Bradford for pennies on the dollar, they held on to him until they found a team that was desperate. That turned out to be the Vikings, who panicked when Teddy Bridgewater suffered a devastating injury. The Eagles consequently secured a first-round pick for Bradford. The Bears couldn’t even get a third-, or even a guaranteed fourth- or fifth-rounder! What a horrible mismanagement of resources.
Grade for Steelers – A+
Grade for Bears – MILLEN
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Eagles acquire QB Kenny Pickett from Steelers for swaps of picks Nos. 98 and 120; 2025 7th-round pick
This trade is so confusing for both teams. I don’t understand why the Steelers are giving up on Kenny Pickett so quickly. Pickett had enough talent to be chosen in the first round, yet Pittsburgh is giving up on him after just two seasons in which Pickett struggled under inept offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Pittsburgh signed Russell Wilson, but he’s just a short-term solution at best. I thought Pickett would learn under Wilson and then eventually get a second chance, but apparently not.
For the Eagles, I’m not sure what they want with Pickett. They obviously have Jalen Hurts, and he’s just two months older than Pickett. It never hurts to have a quarterback to groom for the future, but I’m not sure how much of a difference there is between Pickett and Tanner McKee. I don’t get the Eagles moving down from 98 to 120 for Pickett unless they’ve suddenly grown bearish on Hurts despite the fact that he played like an MVP candidate for half of 2023.
Update: We now know why the Steelers gave up on Kenny Pickett, as they cleared him out for Justin Fields. This grade has been adjusted.
Grade for Eagles – D
Grade for Steelers – A-
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Panthers acquire WR Diontae Johnson from Steelers for CB Donte Jackson
Be careful what you wish for. Diontae Johnson voiced his displeasure with the Steelers offense, so Pittsburgh sent him off to a different team. Johnson will now be playing in Carolina with Bryce Young, who was atrocious in his rookie season.
Still, this is an exciting trade if you’re a Panthers fan. Johnson may be disruptive, but most receivers act this way. Johnson will provide the Carolina offense with a dynamic threat they sorely lacked last year.
In return for Johnson, the Steelers are getting much-needed help at cornerback. This was a big problem area last year, as Patrick Peterson was a bust signing. Jackson is a solid and versatile cornerback, as he can play both outside or in the slot.
I’d say this is a fair trade for both teams. Johnson and Jackson are close in talent, and both teams are filling needs.
Grade for Panthers – B+
Grade for Steelers – B+
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