The Pittsburgh Steelers are always looking to acquire top players for cheap. With the first day of June coming around the corner, the Steelers will be paying attention to the league to see who suddenly becomes available with the sudden drop in dead cap. While many cuts have already been designated as a post-June 1, there are most likely plenty of options on the trade block, and General Manager Omar Khan is most likely trying to negotiate some trades to take advantage of that.
1.) James Bradberry ($4 million retained in 2024), 2026 7th Round pick (PHI) In Exchange For 2026 6th (PIT).
The Steelers lack veteran depth at the cornerback position, so they could go out and trade for James Bradberry to either split time with Donte Jackson or be a backup for the outside cornerback position. While the Philadelphia Eagles may not be too desperate to get rid of some cap space, they will likely lose one of their starting cornerbacks anyways due to the fact that they drafted Quinyon Mitchell, and trading Bradberry away would make sense for both sides.
The Eagles would only carry a dead cap total of just over $3 million if they trade Bradberry after June 1st, unless they eat some of his cap. Khan is not shy about making teams swallow some salary, and that might be the best chance for the Eagles to get any return on a cornerback that may end up as a backup in Philadelphia.
2.) Darius Slayton In Exchange For 2025 5th (Los Angeles Rams)
If the Steelers want a quick, cheap option on the other side of the ball, they can stay in the NFC East and trade for Darius Slayton from the New York Giants. Unlike Philadelphia, the Giants are in desperate need of some cap savings, and that could force their hand and make them trade Slayton away. At very least, Slayton has proven to be a solid depth option, and he can play on the outside when Roman Wilson lines up in the slot.
The Giants would save $6.4 million by trading Slayton away while only eating $1.75 million in dead cap. The Steelers wouldn't have to manipulate the cap to make the trade happen either. He wouldn't be expected to carry the load in the passing game, but he can still be a viable option when George Pickens gets double-teamed.
Steelers May Not Want The Cheap Option
The Steelers have been rumored to be interested in numerous expensive wide receiver options, such as Brandon Aiyuk and Courtland Sutton. Despite being a run-first team, the Steelers could still open up and trade for a superstar receiver to become more of an all-around threat. No matter who plays quarterback for the Steelers, the team would love to have as many weapons as possible.
3.) DK Metcalf ($5 million Retained In 2024), 2026 5th (SEA) In Exchange For 2025 2nd (PIT), 2026 4th (PIT).
Like with the Giants, the Seattle Seahawks need to save some cap space to be able to pay their draft picks and have some money left over for in-season transactions. The Steelers have been rumored to be in trade talks with them to try and acquire DK Metcalf, and the post June-1st could make the trade even more of a possibility. Russell Wilson may be reunited with his star receiver from their Seahawks days.
While the Seahawks do need to free up some money, they still have enough leverage to make the Steelers pay a pretty penny to take him off their hands. The Steelers would also have to find some ways to maneuver the cap to make it work. This would be a very tough trade to pull off, but that's how it usually works when you want to trade for a high-end player.
