The Pittsburgh Steelers recently ended their season with a disappointing 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round. However, the organization is already making significant changes. Longtime head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down after 19 seasons, and there’s uncertainty surrounding quarterback Aaron Rodgers as he weighs retirement options.
Colin Cowherd from FOX Sports suggested that the Steelers might need to shake things up by trading star edge rusher T.J. Watt to secure a future quarterback. Reflecting on past discussions where moving Watt seemed outrageous, he pointed out, “TJ was 0-for-5 in the playoffs; how outrageous is that?”
Cowherd argued that trading their Defensive Player of the Year could accelerate the team’s rebuild, particularly in acquiring Alabama standout quarterback Ty Simpson. He mentioned, “With all those picks, they could comfortably move up to get Ty Simpson.” The Steelers have plenty of draft capital, including the No. 21 overall pick and additional picks from past trades, which gives them a chance to make moves in the upcoming draft.
The Steelers already have seven picks in the first four rounds of the draft. If they trade Watt, they would gain even more resources, which they could use to bolster their squad. This season, Watt played in 14 games and recorded 55 tackles, seven sacks, and three forced fumbles. He has made it to the Pro Bowl in each of the last eight seasons, further underscoring his impact.
Watt, at 31, has a remarkable career with 115 sacks and 36 forced fumbles in 135 games, making him a vital part of the team’s defense. Moving him might indicate a desire for a fresh start, a strategy Cowherd believes could be necessary.
Ty Simpson has impressed this season, completing 64.5% of his passes for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and only five interceptions over 15 games. He also added two rushing touchdowns, positioning him as one of the top quarterback prospects.
