Steelers Get Hit With Unsettling News About The Expensive Nature Of WR Trade Inquiry

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2026 offseason with a need for a receiver, or several. The team has conducted many formal interviews with top receiver prospects ahead of the NFL Draft and has been linked to several free-agent pass-catchers. Pittsburgh desperately needs to find another weapon to add to an offense that saw its fair share of struggles in 2025. The Steelers will look to find a complementary piece for their star DK Metcalf to take the pressure off of him. A trade for an established wideout could be in play, but as of right now, could force the Steelers to pay a high price. However, the team needs help badly. 

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler gave his insight on a potential AJ Brown trade, as the Philadelphia Eagles and General Manager Howie Roseman could be looking to move on from the dominant and physically-gifted wide receiver.

"A few teams I consulted believe a trade package including a second-round pick is his true trade value," Fowler wrote. "Multiple league executives have maintained that Philly will entertain moving him. The Eagles will always listen to trade offers, but if they're going to move Brown, it sounds like they'd have to be blown away. If you're not ready to talk about at least your first-round pick, I don't think that conversation is getting very far at the moment."

The Steelers could be one of those teams involved in trade talks for Brown. It's unlikely they would unload their first-round pick for the receiver; however, a second-rounder or a combination of Day 2 and Day 3 picks seems more possible. 

Brown has proven to be one of the league's best, but didn't seem to be as dominant in 2026. Brown seemingly wants out, and the waiting game could prove to be an advantage for Pittsburgh as his price may go down. Brown and Metcalf would be a dynamic duo in Pittsburgh, and would give a huge safety net to whoever quarterbacks the team in 2026. 

The Steelers will continue to explore potential wide receiver additions, but Brown would be the most expensive for good reason. Brown's career in Philly has been very productive. He has racked up over 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons for the Eagles. In 2022 and 2023, he had back-to-back 1,400+ yard seasons. He would go on to win a Super Bowl with the Eagles and has also been selected to the Pro Bowl three times. 

The Steelers would greatly benefit from a pairing of Brown and Metcalf; however, that reality could be in jeopardy if the Eagles still demand a high price. Brown has expressed his frustration with the offense as of late, and a change of scenery could greatly benefit a player of his caliber. Brown had an underwhelming 2025, where he put up only 1,003 receiving yards; a mark that was his lowest as an Eagle. 

Brown has had a drop-off in production over the last two seasons, largely due to the Eagles implementing an offense that relies mostly on the run. It's a slow, non-flashy scheme that doesn't benefit a big playmaker like Brown. The wideout, being involved in a pass-heavy offense like the one new Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy should implement, could unlock the star receiver once again. 

Steelers Could Take Chance On Acquiring Brown

The Steelers will more than likely add multiple receivers to their roster as the team lacks depth at the position. They find themselves with the likes of Metcalf and Roman Wilson as the only guys with experience on the roster. 

Pittsburgh could take a swing at a star-caliber receiver like Brown to greatly improve its weaponry. The NFL Draft has a ton of depth at the receiver position, so the Steelers could move one of their earlier picks for Brown while still acquiring a receiver later. The team's offense would improve dramatically, and any quarterback who plays for Pittsburgh this upcoming season would be overjoyed to have the likes of Metcalf and Brown. 

#SteelerNation