With uncertainty surrounding the contract situation between the Pittsburgh Steelers and T.J. Watt, trade speculation is running rampant and the Philadelphia Eagles are part of that conversation.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has been known for making bold moves over the years, and pulling off a blockbuster trade for Watt is something we can definitely see him doing.
However, it takes two to tango and the Steelers would have to be willing to deal Watt, who just held out of mandatory minicamp over his desire for a new contract and may continue that approach into training camp and beyond if no deal gets done.
There has been no indication Pittsburgh has any intentions on dealing Watt, but never say never in today’s NFL.
Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan was a guest on Sports Radio 94 WIP with Joe Giglio and suggested a trade that he thinks the Steelers might consider.
The proposal sees the Steelers getting edge rusher Nolan Smith and a late-round 2026 draft pick from the Eagles in exchange for Watt.
That is an intriguing deal, for sure. Smith enjoyed a breakout year in 2024 with 6.5 sacks in 16 games (10 starts), and then exploded in the postseason with four sacks over four contests.
Smith is expected to take another step forward in 2025. NBC Sports’ Reuben Frank predicted as much in a recent article, but you can just take a look at Smith’s trajectory to see that’s a good bet.
In Smith, the Steelers would get a replacement for Watt while also getting younger. Now, that’s not to say Smith would be able to completely fill the shoes of one of the elite edge rushers in the league, but he definitely has the potential to and would be a better bet than most other players the Steelers could bring in.
For Philly, they get a more proven edge rusher in Watt, who would no doubt increase the team’s chances of repeating.
