On Thursday’s episode of his national show, ‘The Herd,’ Fox Sports host Colin Cowherd assumed the role of an NFL general manager and suggested a way to address the Pittsburgh Steelers’ ongoing struggles. The team has faced six straight playoff losses and has not secured a playoff victory in eight seasons.
As fans of Wisconsin football might know, the Steelers are headed by former Badger quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker T.J. Watt, along with other notable players such as tackles Isaiahh Loudermilk and Keeanu Benton, and linebacker Nick Herbig. Any strategy for improving the team, after years of playoff disappointments, would probably involve trading some of these key players.
Cowherd proposed a major trade, which has gained significant attention with over 1.2 million views on X. He suggested that the Steelers should trade T.J. Watt, George Pickens, and two first-round draft picks to a team with a high draft pick to acquire Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Cowherd stated, “The Steelers have been using temporary fixes for six years. They need to make a bold move. I would trade T.J. Watt, George Pickens, and two first-round picks if I knew for sure that Shedeur Sanders could be the franchise quarterback.”
His reasoning centers on the team’s inadequate quarterback performance since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement in 2021. The Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett in 2022, achieving records of 9-8 and 10-7 during his tenure. Though Wilson initially sparked the team’s performance in late October, they ultimately lost four consecutive games, culminating in a 28-14 defeat against the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round.
Cowherd believes a change at quarterback is crucial, viewing Sanders as potentially the best option available in the draft. However, trading Watt, Pickens, and two first-round picks is a hefty price to pay.
Watt stands out as one of the top pass rushers in the league; despite turning 30, he has secured over 30 sacks and 38 tackles for loss in the past two seasons, showing no signs of decline. Pickens also had a strong performance, leading the team with 900 receiving yards.
Cowherd concluded, “To make significant progress, the Steelers must take a bold step forward. They’re among a select few teams—like the Colts and the Seahawks—that are just a quarterback away from being competitive. If they find the right quarterback, they could become intriguing contenders. However, there’s little evidence to suggest Pittsburgh is willing to be aggressive.” This proposed trade clearly embodies that boldness and would drastically change how the Steelers’ performance is assessed moving forward.
