The Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins executed a blockbuster trade this offseason. Could they pull off another shocking deal?
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski argued it’s at least a possibility.
Sobleski named four top trade packages involving Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill on Monday. The BR analyst named the Steelers as one of them and proposed Pittsburgh acquire Hill for edge rusher Nick Herbig, along with 2026 fourth and seventh-round draft picks.
“Earlier this summer, the acquisition of wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks created excitement, even with the team’s previous uncertainty at quarterback,” wrote Sobleski. “Pittsburgh subsequently traded George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, again creating a need for a legitimate No. 2 target.
“By pairing Hill’s blazing speed with Metcalf’s physicality and Rodgers pulling the strings, the Steelers may have finally moved the needle and elevated their status as a legitimate contender.”
Could the Steelers Pair Tyreek Hill With DK Metcalf?
The Steelers trading for Hill would be about as shocking as when the team acquired DK Metcalf in March.
When Pittsburgh traded for Metcalf, the team still had George Pickens on its roster. Pundits saw Metcalf and Pickens becoming a dangerous downfield pair of receivers for Aaron Rodgers in 2025.
But in May, the Steelers sent Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys for 2026 draft capital. So, the Steelers again have a need at wideout according to most pundits.
With Hill and Metcalf, the Steelers would again have two receivers capable of making big plays downfield. The team’s top two receivers, though, would arguably be even more dangerous than it was supposed to be with Pickens. While Pickens has tremendous talent, Hill is a lot more seasoned.
Hill led the NFL with 1,799 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns during 2023. He’s made first-team All-Pro five times in his career.
Metcalf has averaged 14.4 yards per catch in the NFL. His best statistical season was in 2020 when he posted 1,303 yards to make second-team All-Pro.
With Hill on the roster, Calvin Austin III could slide into the Pittsburgh No. 3 receiver role. The team also wouldn’t need to count on as much production from unproven commodities such as Roman Wilson and over-the-hill veterans like Robert Woods.
Is Nick Herbig a Steelers Trade Candidate?
In other trade proposals this offseason, pundits have suggested the Steelers could include a young receiver like Austin in a trade for a veteran such as Hill. Sobleski went in a different direction, including Herbig in the hypothetical deal for the five-time first-team All-Pro.
T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are Pittsburgh’s top two edge rushers. Both are signed through the 2027 seasons.
On paper, that makes Herbig expendable.
But it’s not clear the Steelers feel that way. Pittsburgh used all three edge rushers on the field at the same time during 2024. The team could do that more often in 2025.
Herbig started five games last season. While playing in 13 contests, he posted 5.5 sacks with five tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hits.
The Steelers take great pride in their edge rushing depth. Generally, they want to win with defense leading the way.
So, it seems unlikely they would be willing to give up Herbig. That may especially be the case with Herbig only 23 years old and inexpensive because of his rookie deal. Hill turned 31 this offseason and would give the Steelers two receivers making at least $30 million on an average annual basis.
Sobleski is correct — the trade would be another “all-in” move for the Steelers. It makes sense for Pittsburgh to make “all-in” moves since its starting quarterback is 41 years old.
But trading Herbig for Tyreek Hill might be too short-sighted of a move even for aggressive general manager Omar Khan.
