Steelers Might Need To Consider Insane Trade Conditions For Cooper Kupp: "They Wanna Win Right Now"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been in every wide receiver conversation since the 2024 offseason. After trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, everyone just knew they'd get a big-name veteran or draft a top receiver. However, neither happened. Instead, they drafted a third-rounder, Roman Wilson, and added what can best be described as depth pieces, such as Van Jefferson. 

Now that the trade deadline looms, panic is setting in that this roster will be all they have for the tough second half of the season. Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith said they have faith in the current room, yet they've been looking. They supposedly made a large offer for Brandon Aiyuk and reportedly looked into Davante Adams.  

Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show joined The Joe Starkey Show on 93.7 The Fan and was asked about the recent trade of DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs. Kaboly remarked that Kansas City didn't waste any time. They got someone immediately, while Pittsburgh is still looking. Who's even left? Kaboly likes Cooper Kupp from the Los Angeles Rams and doesn't think they should waste more time. 

"As for Cooper Kupp, I'd go get him," said Kaboly. "Once again, we're 5-2 with a very good possibility of being 6-2 with the meatier schedule coming up. I know Cooper Kupp has been injured the last two years, but Week 1, when he was healthy, he had 20-some-odd targets, and he still was a guy to be reckoned with. It's not going to cost you a ton of money. What is it, $5-$6 million bucks for the rest of the season? If I'm correct. If it's a one-year rental, so be it. I don't care."

Kaboly added that if the Steelers don't like Kupp's contract and decide to keep him in 2025, they can easily restructure it to eliminate his roster bonus. In Kaboly's mind, a third-round pick or lower makes sense. 

He said it is not very often that you will be 6-2 and facing such a tough schedule. While injuries have plagued the Steelers, Kaboly sees this receiver as the biggest missing link. Starkey asked Kaboly if he would take Kupp if the Rams demanded a second-round pick. 

"That's tough. I'd probably think hard and heavy about doing it. Because if you're going all in, all for it, and that's what they did from March for bringing in Russell, bringing in Patrick Queen. They wanna win right now. You got that quarterback position somewhat figured out. He can help you go further than the quarterbacks you've had here the past couple years. If that's what it takes, a second-round pick, I don't wanna do that, I don't think it will take that much, because he is 31 coming off of injury. If I'm giving up a two, I better be getting a fifth back. I would greatly consider that because you need it."

The Steelers' offense underwent a metamorphosis with Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback in Week 7. The missing receiver was minimized when Justin Fields was under center since the ball wasn't getting thrown much. But now, with only George Pickens considered reliable, it is hard to see how they consistently find success. 

Steelers Don't Just Need A Wide Receiver

As Kaboly pointed out, Steelers General Manager Omar Khan had an aggressive offseason, bringing in Wilson, Fields, and Patrick Queen. However, in the NFL, how well you prepare doesn't always matter; sometimes, things just go wrong. 

The Steelers have faced this with injuries to several key positions. This leaves them vulnerable and possibly looking for players other than receivers, like a cornerback, safety, or offensive linemen.   

With less than two weeks to figure it out, Khan and Tomlin will have to do some soul-searching about where they need help the most. They are winning and need to consider who will help them continue that trend after the bye week.

Would you give a second-round pick for Kupp? Click to comment below. 

#SteelerNation