The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a slew of moves this offseason. The roster turnover is truly unprecedented, as Pittsburgh will go into the 2025 season with nine new starters.
The Steelers landed All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith in the blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins on Monday. The deal will go down as one of the biggest in team history, with All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick going the other direction. The Steelers also acquired a 2027 seventh-round draft pick and the Dolphins got a 2027 fifth-round draft pick in the trade.
On paper, the Steelers' roster has improved this offseason, especially with the addition of Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. He is most likely only a one-year rental, however. A long-term answer at quarterback most likely will be addressed in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Colin Cowherd of FS1 is not impressed with what the Steelers' offseason moves, however. He thinks they're just throwing things at the wall and hoping it sticks.
"So they get rid of a safety, who's a little past his prime, and they add a corner, who's more expensive, Jalen Ramsey, who's past his prime. They get rid of a very high-maintenance wide receiver in George Pickens , and then they inherit a wide receiver who can be high-maintenance, DK Metcalf . You're just making moves to make moves. There is no plan. If you were to move off George Pickens and acquire Terry McLaurin , the adult in the room, that's a move I'd get," Cowherd said on FS1's The Herd .
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers at minicamp on June 12, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Former Steelers wide receiver George Pickens was a massive distraction on and off the field throughout his three years in Pittsburgh . While talented, the Steelers had enough off of the antics. That's why they traded Pickens and a 2027 sixth round pick to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 third round pick and a 2027 fifth round pick earlier this offseason.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Steelers wanted to get Pickens out of town before Rodgers' arrival. The organization thought the two big personalities would not mesh at all.
"Staying with Pittsburgh-related matters, the Steelers moved on from Pickens for a few reasons. His maturity issues were well-known within Pittsburgh's locker room and front office. So, the Steelers made the evaluation that Pickens and Rodgers probably would not hit it off," Fowler wrote .
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette revealed that trading Fitzpatrick was not a big priority for the Steelers this offseason, but they were not pleased with the lack of splash plays.
"Steelers were not actively trying to trade Minkah Fitzpatrick , but they were willing to listen to any team who showed interest," Dulac posted on X . "They felt the absence of splash plays the past two years was not commensurate with what they were paying him."
Fitzpatrick had six interceptions in 2022 (tied for first in the NFL) and had 11 over his first three seasons in Pittsburgh. He also had three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries from 2019-21. Over his first four seasons, he had 24 splash plays over 51 games.
Over the last two seasons, he had just one interception, no forced fumbles and no fumble recoveries over 27 games.
The Steelers now have a major hole at free safety with Fitzpatrick off to Miami. Perhaps Ramsey will move to the position, however.
"This is a case-by-case situation where a player like Jalen Ramsey just happened to be available where they feel like he gives them more flexibility than what they had with Minkah Fitzpatrick," Fowler said on ESPN's Get Up . "He can play slot cornerback. He can play safety, if you need him to do that. They see shades of Rod Woodson."
Smith had been subject to trade talks since it was reported that he wanted a new deal coming off the best season of his eight-year NFL career. In 2024, he recorded a career-high 88 catches for 884 yards and eight touchdowns.
Smith also has a connection with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. The two spent time together with the Tennessee Titans from 2017-20 and then most recently with the Atlanta Falcons (2023).
Smith began his NFL career as a third-round pick (No. 100 overall) by the Titans in the 2017 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons in Tennessee before joining the New England Patriots for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Smith has 307 receptions for 3,307 yards and 28 touchdowns in his professional career.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Colin Cowherd Rips Steelers' Offseason Moves: 'There is No Plan'
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