Big Move in Pittsburgh: Steelers Acquire $21 Million in…

The Pittsburgh Steelers have exceeded expectations through eight games in 2024, as the team is 6-2 and atop the AFC North. Mike Tomlin’s squad enjoyed a much-needed Week 9 bye week and will return to game action on Sunday to face off against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Week 10.

One of the primary reasons for the Steelers’ success this season is the steady growth of the offense. Arthur Smith’s unit has established an identity centered around running back Najee Harris and the ground game, and quarterback Russell Wilson is playing clean and efficient football. 

Pittsburgh’s offense has flourished in 2024 under Smith, but the group still has some glaring weaknesses, especially at wide receiver. George Pickens continues to improve and has quickly become one of the most exciting young players in football, but the Steelers don’t boast much talent or production at the position outside of the former second-round pick out of Georgia. 

With the Steelers’ need for a wide receiver evident, USA Today’s Tyler Dragon believes the team should acquire Cincinnati Bengals star Tee Higgins at the Nov.5 trade deadline. 

“Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said before that he’s not in the business of making other teams better, and the Bengals certainly don’t want to do business with a division rival. But Higgins would be an excellent fit in Pittsburgh’s offensive system and form a great pairing with George Pickens. Higgins, who is playing on the one-year franchise tag tender, is likely playing his final year in Cincinnati.”

Higgins has been limited to just five games this season due to a quad injury, but the 25-year-old is still an explosive playmaker who has been highly productive since entering the league in 2019. 

Higgins posted back-to-back campaigns with over 70 catches and 1,000 receiving yards in 2021 and 2022 and had 656 yards along with five touchdowns last season in 12 games. The former Clemson standout has hauled in 29 catches for 341 yards and three touchdowns in 2024.

Though pairing Higgins with George Pickens would be electric, this trade has almost no chance of happening. The Bengals would be foolish to deal the former Clemson standout to a division rival, and the Steelers would have to surrender a premium pick for Higgins and pay him a lucrative contract. 

It’s a fun trade to propose and talk about, but the likelihood of Higgins landing in Pittsburgh is slim to none. General manager Omar Khan shouldn’t waste his time calling Cincinnati about the young star receiver and should look elsewhere to solve the team’s pressing need at the position.