Steelers Linked to Stunning $150 Million Trade Amid Aaron Rodgers Doubt

While Aaron Rodgers appears to be trending toward a 2026 return, there is no guarantee he will be back, and Rodgers even said that the Pittsburgh Steelers haven't even offered him any sort of contract yet.

So perhaps the Steelers are having second thoughts on bringing Rodgers back?

Whatever the case may be, Pittsburgh definitely needs to add some more weapons this offseason, which is what makes a recent trade suggestion that much more peculiar.

Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon put together a list of surprising potential NFL trade candidates, and Steelers wide receiver D.K. Metcalf was oddly mentioned.

"Metcalf fell short of dominating in 2025, with just 59 catches (his lowest total since he was a rookie) and six touchdowns," Gagnon wrote. "Statistically, it's becoming increasingly apparent that he peaked in 2020 and 2021, when he scored 22 times (he's found the end zone just 25 times in the four seasons since). Plus, Aaron Rodgers' future is again up in the air and the Steelers could be in reset mode in search of a new quarterback for their new head coach, anyway."

It may be true that Metcalf isn't quite the same player from his early Seattle Seahawks days, but he is still far and away Pittsburgh's top option, and there is virtually no depth behind him in the wide receiver room.

If anything, the Steelers would be supplementing Metcalf with more pieces in the coming weeks rather than shipping him out, regardless of whether or not Rodgers returns next season.

Pittsburgh acquired the 28-year-old in a blockbuster trade with the Seahawks last offseason and then proceeded to hand him a four-year, $132 million extension, bringing the total value of his contract to five years, $150 million.

Metcalf didn't really live up to expectations in 2025, failing to even reach 900 yards receiving in 15 games, but he was still clearly Rodgers' top receiver. And again, the Steelers don't really have anyone else.

The chances of Pittsburgh moving Metcalf this offseason seem very slim, and I would go as far to say that there is a zero percent chance it actually happens.

I guess stranger things have happened, though.

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