- Total Trades: 3
- Average Grade: B- (82)
This page lists all the 2025 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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June 2025 – Trades
Steelers acquire CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith, 2027 7th-round pick from Dolphins for S Minkah Fitzpatrick, 2027 5th-round pick
We were expecting Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith to be traded this offseason, but it’s still surprising to see them dealt together in a package that involves Minkah Fitzpatrick going back the other way.
This is a huge trade for the Steelers, who are fixing two big areas of need. Cornerback was a colossal problem for them in 2024, but Ramsey will fix that. Ramsey is not the great player he once was, but he’s “only” 30 and should be able to play well for his new team for the next couple of seasons. Smith, meanwhile, reunites with Arthur Smith, who loved utilizing him over Kyle Pitts when he coached the Falcons. The Steelers had a big void as far as a No. 2 receiver was concerned. Smith can fill that role and be used in multiple facets. He and Pat Freiermuth will form an excellent tandem in two-tight end sets. Aaron Rodgers loves utilizing tight ends, particularly in the red zone, so he has to be thrilled right now.
Losing Fitzpatrick will hurt, but not as much as many will think. Like Ramsey, Fitzpatrick is also not the player he once was. He’s still just 28, but is coming off a down year. There’s a good chance he’ll rebound, so he’ll certainly provide the Dolphins with a much-needed upgrade at safety. The Steelers, meanwhile, can start Juan Thornhill and DeShon Elliott at the position and be fine.
Overall, this trade makes the Steelers better and the Dolphins worse. Pittsburgh still isn’t on the level of Kansas City, Baltimore, or Buffalo, but it’ll have a better chance of contending come January. Miami, meanwhile, is edging closer to being the worst team in the NFL, which is a good thing if that allows them to claim the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Go here to my 2026 NFL Mock Draft to see which prospects the Dolphins could select.
Grade for Steelers – A
Grade for Dolphins – B-
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May 2025 – Trades
Cowboys acquire WR George Pickens from Steelers for 2026 3rd-round pick, swap of 2027 late-round picks
Jerry Jones is a huge fan of wasting fourth-round picks. He used fourth-round selections to acquire Trey Lance and Jonathan Mingo recently. His coaching staff barely used Lance, opting to start Cooper Rush over him in meaningless games. Mingo also provided nothing for Dallas.
Jones, however, must view third-round picks as being much more valuable because he used one to obtain George Pickens. The Cowboys made a huge mistake of neglecting wide receiver during the 2025 NFL Draft, but they’ve made amends for it, acquiring Pickens from the Steelers for a third-round choice and a late-round swap in 2027 that will see their fifth-round pick transformed into a sixth-round selection.
This is an outstanding trade for the Cowboys. Pickens is a dynamic downfield threat, so he’ll be a great complement to CeeDee Lamb. Dallas had nothing at receiver outside of Lamb, so Pickens is a huge upgrade at a very reasonable price. Pickens comes with some character concerns, but his talent makes it worth the risk.
As for the Steelers, this deal is very disappointing. They had to rely on bums like Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin when their quarterback wasn’t targeting Pickens last year. The D.K. Metcalf acquisition appeared to have changed that, giving Pittsburgh a tandem of electric wide receivers, but now the team is stuck with the same situation, except with Metcalf instead of Pickens. Pittsburgh had some long-shot Super Bowl aspirations if Aaron Rodgers signed, but Pickens’ departure makes a playoff run more unlikely.
Grade for Cowboys – A
Grade for Steelers – D
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March 2025 – Trades
Steelers acquire WR D.K. Metcalf from Seahawks for 2nd-round pick
Seattle’s fire sale continues. The team did well to pick up a third-round pick for the mediocre Geno Smith two days ago. Tonight, the front office dealt a much better player in D.K. Metcalf for a second-round choice.
Metcalf is one of the most physically gifted receivers in the NFL, but he’s been limited by Smith in Seattle. Sadly for Metcalf, he’ll also be limited by Pittsburgh’s poor quarterbacking situation. It’s unclear what the Steelers will do at quarterback, but it’s not very promising. Still, the Steelers make the playoffs every year because they’re extremely well coached and have a top-tier defense. Now, they’ll have two very talented receivers in Metcalf and George Pickens. I like this trade for them, as it makes their location more appealing for free agent quarterbacks.
The Seahawks, meanwhile, did just fine to get a second-round pick and a swap of sixth- and seventh-round choices for their disgruntled player. Metcalf didn’t want to be in Seattle anymore, so the Seahawks didn’t exactly have great leverage. They didn’t obtain the first-round pick they coveted, but a second is an OK haul for the 27-year-old receiver.
Grade for Steelers – A-
Grade for Seahawks – B
Comment on the other free agent signings below.
Follow me @walterfootball for more hiring/signing grades and updates. Also, you can view theAd-Free Version of WalterFootball.com here!
