With theNFL trade deadlineless than a week away, thePittsburgh Steelershave been linked to an All-Pro caliber defender from the Los Angeles Chargers.
In need of a potential upgrade to their secondary, theSteelerswere urged by former offensive lineman turned NFL analyst Max Starks to pursue a trade for Los Angeles Chargers All-Pro safety Derwin James.
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"But what about a Derwin James? There might be an opportunity there,"Starks said via the In the Locker Room podcast."A team that's probably gonna be on the chopping block in the Chargers. … Red rover, red rover, you can send Derwin James on over."
WR Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
(Kiyoshi Mio, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
S Isaiah Pola-Mao, Las Vegas Raiders
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
CB Riq Woolen, Philadelphia Eagles
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
G Landon Dickerson, Philadelphia Eagles
(Eric Hartline, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
WR Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
(Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Unio, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
WR Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
(Mark Konezny, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
WR Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
(Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJer, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
WR Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
CB Donte Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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10 trade targets for Steelers ahead of 2026 NFL deadline
WR Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
(Kiyoshi Mio, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/10
10 trade targets for Steelers ahead of 2026 NFL deadline
WR Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
(Kiyoshi Mio, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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10 trade targets for Steelers ahead of 2026 NFL deadline
S Isaiah Pola-Mao, Las Vegas Raiders
(Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
3/10
10 trade targets for Steelers ahead of 2026 NFL deadline
CB Riq Woolen, Philadelphia Eagles
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
4/10
10 trade targets for Steelers ahead of 2026 NFL deadline
G Landon Dickerson, Philadelphia Eagles
(Eric Hartline, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5/10
10 trade targets for Steelers ahead of 2026 NFL deadline
WR Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
(Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Unio, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
6/10
10 trade targets for Steelers ahead of 2026 NFL deadline
WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
7/10
10 trade targets for Steelers ahead of 2026 NFL deadline
WR Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
(Mark Konezny, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
8/10
Steelers potential trade target in concussion protocol this week
WR Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
(Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJer, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
9/10
10 trade targets for Steelers ahead of 2026 NFL deadline
WR Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans
(Steve Roberts, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
10/10
10 trade targets for Steelers ahead of 2026 NFL deadline
CB Donte Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers
(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
James, who was drafted by the Chargers in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, has cemented his place as one of the league's top safeties during his nine-year NFL career. In 101 games, James has recorded 705 combined tackles, 40 tackles for loss, 19 sacks, 47 passes defended and 12 interceptions, as well as receiving one First-Team All-Pro selection, four Second-Team All-Pro selections and five Pro Bowl honors.
Unfortunately, James has dealt with a multitude of injuries during his NFL career, including this 2026 season, in which he was recently placed on injured reserve on October 31 with a hamstring setback.
Thanks to an NFL rule change in 2018, the Steelers can still trade for James despite his placement on injured reserve. James. however, would still need to pass a physical with Pittsburgh before a potential trade could be finalized.
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