Cowherd: Steelers Get Crazy Advice To Trade TJ Watt And George Pickens For Shedeur Sanders

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ future is in limbo after another season that collapsed at the end. The Steelers and Mike Tomlin haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 NFL season, and the pressure to turn things around is hitting a boiling point. The Steelers' 2025 offseason will feature many difficult decisions, with the quarterback position at the forefront. The team must decide whether to invest heavily in Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, both, or neither, as they search for a clear path forward under center.

Popular talk show host Colin Cowherd has entered the conversation with a bold suggestion to jump-start the Steelers’ rebuild. Cowherd believes Pittsburgh should go all-in by trading superstar TJ Watt, rising wide receiver George Pickens, and two first-round picks to draft rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Sanders, the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, has drawn rave reviews for his poise, arm talent, and confidence, making him one of the most sought-after prospects in the upcoming draft.

While the idea of acquiring a potential franchise quarterback is tantalizing, the cost Cowherd proposes would fundamentally reshape the Steelers’ identity. Trading Watt, the heart of the defense, and Pickens, a key piece of the offense, would signal a dramatic pivot for the organization. 

"I would trade TJ Watt, George Pickens, two first-rounders and go get Shedeur Sanders if you think he's a starting quarterback," Cowherd said. "Nobody that I talked to in the league thought Kenny Pickett was a starter. Backup, homegrown kid. But proactive is the way to do it."

The price Cowherd suggests the Steelers should pay to acquire Sanders is outrageous in its own right. It’s a massive cost and likely unnecessary if the team is willing to gamble on Sanders potentially falling in the draft. Sanders is an intriguing prospect whose draft stock has fluctuated as analysts debate whether he’s next-level talent or slightly overhyped.

Cowherd's proposal becomes more reasonable if you remove Watt and one of the first-round picks. A package involving Pickens and a single first-rounder might be a more palatable trade for the Steelers, especially if they’re dealing with a team positioned to draft Sanders. This alternative could still give Pittsburgh a shot at their quarterback of the future without completely mortgaging the roster.

"Kansas City moved up, gave away picks, they had a Pro Bowl quarterback in Alex Smith," Cowherd said. "Joe Flacco, Joe Flacco made a lot of money and won a lot of games in Baltimore and they went and got Lamar Jackson."

Cowherd backed his suggestion by citing examples of successful teams that made unconventional moves to secure their franchise quarterback. He argued that while risky, such bold decisions can pay off and transform a team, giving the Steelers something to seriously consider.

Steelers May Want To Look At The Chiefs And Ravens Manual

The Kansas City Chiefs are the prime example of a team reaping the rewards of a bold move to draft a raw prospect in Patrick Mahomes. That gamble paid off spectacularly, transforming the franchise into a dynasty with three Super Bowl titles to their name under Mahomes. Had the Chiefs stuck with Alex Smith, it’s hard to imagine their franchise reaching the same heights.

The Steelers' biggest rival, the Baltimore Ravens, made a similar move when they drafted Lamar Jackson late in the first round. While quarterback wasn’t a glaring need at the time, they saw Jackson’s potential and took the chance. Though the Ravens have yet to achieve significant postseason success with Jackson, he’s already won two MVP awards and is in contention for a third while positioning his team as a Super Bowl contender.

These examples bolster Cowherd's argument that Steelers General Manager Omar Khan should consider taking an aggressive approach. Trading valuable assets now for long-term gains at quarterback, the most important position in football, might be a risk worth taking—if the Steelers are confident in Sanders or another top prospect. It could be the bold step needed to bring sustained success back to Pittsburgh.

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