It’s by now well-known that the Pittsburgh Steelers are in the market for an upgrade at wide receiver. General manager Omar Khan dealt away former Pro Bowler Diontae Johnson in a trade with the Carolina Panthers earlier this offseason.
There is certainly a vacuum to be filled behind George Pickens for new quarterback Russell Wilson. Perhaps, the Steelers will find that during the 2024 NFL Draft starting on Thursday.
According to Jarrett Bailey of USA Today, Pittsburgh has interest in acquiring Wilson’s former teammate with the Denver Broncos in that of wide receiver Courtland Sutton.
Sutton’s name popping up in trade rumors shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. The former Pro Bowler was absent from voluntary offseason activities earlier this month as he angles for a new contract. Sutton, 28, has two more years remaining on the four-year, $60.8 million contract extension he signed with Denver back in November of 2021.
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The former second-round pick from Southern Methodist teamed up with Wilson over the past two seasons, recording a combined 123 receptions for 1,601 yards and 12 touchdowns while catching 62% of his targets. There is obviously a relationship here.
Denver had put Sutton on the trade block before trading away Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns earlier in the offseason. However, head coach Sean Payton is not one to shy away from trading malcontents. We’ve seen that a whole lot since he took over in that role last offseason.
For Pittsburgh, trading for someone like Sutton would come a lot cheaper than a rumored Brandon Aiyuk blockbuster. The team is likely looking at having to give up a mid-round selection in 2024 and a conditional 2025 draft picks.
Mike Tomlin and Co. boast seven picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.