Did Steelers Fleece AFC Opponent Multiple Times This Offseason?
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- Did Steelers Fleece AFC Opponent Multiple Times This Offseason?
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan seemed to target the same team several times this offseason.
The Pittsburgh Steelers executed a couple of trades with the Indianapolis Colts this offseason, and as a result, were able to land three new playmakers in Michael Pittman Jr. , Germie Bernard and Eli Heidenreich .
Former Steelers offensive lineman Trai Essex has no doubt the Steelers will come out on the winning end of both deals.
"If we are being honest, Colts were very generous to the Steelers this offseason. For the grand total of a 2nd round swap and 4th, 6th & 7th round draft picks we got: Michael Pittman Germie Bernard Eli Heidenreich," Essex posted on X . "We gotta wait to see how it pans out obviously, but on paper, that is a fleece. Or at least fleece adjacent."
The Steelers began their offseason by sending pick No. 214 in the 2026 NFL Draft for Pittman and pick No. 230.
There is no arguing it was a very minimal return for the Colts, but Pittman needed to be moved after they signed fellow wide receiver Alec Piece to a long-term contract extension during the early stages of free agency.
Pittman is now bringing a ton of leadership and experience to Pittsburgh with 485 catches for 5,254 yards and 25 touchdowns in his professional career.
Michael Pittman at his introductory press conference on March 13, 2026. — Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers later used pick No. 230 on Heidenreich, who has quickly turned into a fan favorite as a Navy and Mt. Lebanon High School product.
Heidenreich is not short on talent, either. He was a second-team All-American Athletic Conference wideout last season, leading the Midshipmen with 51 receptions while also rushing for 499 yards and three scores and setting a single-season program record with 941 receiving yards and tying its mark with six touchdown grabs.
Pittsburgh wasn't ready to be done doing business with Indianapolis, though.
On Day 2 of the NFL Draft, Steelers general manager Omar Khan was able to strike another deal with the Colts to trade up for Bernard, sending pick Nos. 53, 135 and 237 for pick Nos. 47 and 249, which was later used in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs .
Bernard, 22, is coming off a career-high 64 catches for 862 yards and seven touchdowns with Alabama last season.
All in all, it certainly looks like a great haul for the Steelers, but as Essex mentioned, only time will tell how it will truly end up playing out.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Did Steelers Fleece AFC Opponent Multiple Times This Offseason?
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