Steelers blockbuster trade pitch swaps 2 players, pick for $96 million wide receiver originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers are in desperate need of a wide receiver ahead of the NFL trade deadline next month and it appears they are at least looking.

ESPN's Adam Schefter noted on Monday that the Steelers are indeed making calls in search of a wide receiver to complement DK Metcalf, who is pretty much a one-man band in Pittsburgh's wide receivers room.

One analyst, CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin, has pitched a blockbuster trade between the Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles that would send A.J. Brown to Pittsburgh.

Here's a look at the proposal and what Benjamin said about it:

• Steelers get: WR A.J. Brown
• Eagles get: TE Pat Freiermuth, OLB Alex Highsmith, 2026 3rd-round pick

Why on Earth would the Steelers deal for Brown when they already spent picks and big money to land Brown's former college teammate, DK Metcalf, this offseason? Because they're all in on winning with Aaron Rodgers this year, and their 4-1 start suggests they'll remain aggressive in roster-building. Freiermuth doesn't have a major role in Steel City anymore, but he might offer both blocking and pass-catching depth as a potential Dallas Goedert successor. Highsmith, meanwhile, is often nicked up but a proven edge rusher (29 sacks, 56 quarterback hits since 2022) to help fill the Eagles' blatant need there. Philadelphia might also send one of its own reserve pass-rushers, like Azeez Ojulari, back to Pittsburgh in this scenario. 

Before we get to whether or not the Eagles would actually trade Brown, on the surface, this trade would make at least some sense for both teams.

Brown would take care of the Steelers' need at wide receiver, and then some, and the Eagles need pass-rush help even more now that Za'Darius Smith has retired.

Adding another pass-catcher would also make sense for Philly if they trade Brown, but Freiermuth would not move the needle all that much, especially with Philly already having Dallas Goedert in the starting spot, so general manager Howie Roseman would likely prefer a higher pick instead.

While this would be a dream scenario for the Steelers, it remains highly unlikely the Eagles will deal Brown.

Yes, he is disgruntled about the way the offense has been operating this season, but the Eagles are not going to trade one of their best playmakers in the middle of a campaign in which Philly has aspirations of repeating.

Could we see the rocky relationship with the Eagles and Brown end in the offseason? Sure, but that divorce isn't going to happen this season.

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