Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into the 2024 NFL season with big expectations of taking a step forward from last season. After a busy offseason, the team certainly looks improved on paper.
Gone are the days of Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph struggling to get production at the quarterback position. Russell Wilson was signed in free agency to be the new starting quarterback and he’s coming off of a quality season with the Denver Broncos. Justin Fields was also acquired from the Chicago Bears.
However, there are some questions about the wide receiver position. George Pickens is the clear-cut No. 1 target for the Steelers, but after him there are major question marks. Roman Wilson and Van Jefferson are the next two options, which isn’t an ideal situation.
A trade could still in the cards for the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have been active in the rumor mill looking for a wideout throughout the NFL offseason.
Bleacher Report has suggested one shocking trade idea for the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the 2024 NFL season. What makes it so shocking is that they would pull off a blockbuster trade with the Cincinnati Bengals for star wide receiver Tee Higgins.
Here is what the trade they suggested looks like for both parties involved:
Pittsburgh Steelers Receive: Tee Higgins
Cincinnati Bengals Receive: 2025 Third-Round Pick, 2025 Fifth-Round Pick
Why would the Bengals trade their star wide receiver to the Pittsburgh Steelers of all teams? That is the biggest question that could ruin any chance of this happening. However, if the Steelers come in with an aggressive offer, Cincinnati would have to consider it.
For the Steelers, being able to get Higgins would give them a legitimate second No. 1 option alongside Pickens. Higgins is just 25 years old and would instantly get a long-term deal if the Steelers traded for him. He would give Pittsburgh at least four years of high level production, making this trade more than worth it.
On the other side of the deal, the Bengals would be getting more draft capital to work with. A third-round pick is valuable and a fifth-round pick can be valuable depending on who slides in the draft. It seems plausible that the Bengals would ask for a second-round pick and a fifth-round pick instead of the third-rounder.
During the 2023 season with the Bengals, Higgins ended up playing in 12 games and dealt with some injury issues. He caught 42 passes for 656 yards and five touchdowns. Back in 2022, he racked up 74 receptions for 1,029 yards and seven touchdowns.
While this is all hypothetical, the trade would be a massive one for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He would fix one of the biggest needs of the team and be a long-term piece to help get the team back to Super Bowl contention.
