Someone’s standing in line with Mariah Carey because “Iiiiit’s tiiiiime.” No, not Christmas time. The Pittsburgh Steelers trade market is bustling, but so far the stockings are empty, the fireplace is undisturbed and there are no recipient gifts under the tree. Unfortunately, the Steelers shopped around for weeks to no avail, leading to wild trade rumors. For one last time, let’s dive into the eye of the storm.

After weeks of throwing around high-profile names like DeAndre Hopkins and Cooper Kupp and building expectations, the Steelers brought home Mike Williams for a fifth-round pick. In his first season since recovering from a torn ACL during the 2023 season, Williams has become persona non grata with the Jets in just eight games. The Steelers are hoping their latest draft pick has retained his value as a big-threat receiver Wilson can trust to throw his bombs downfield, but his disappointing half-season in New York feels like a dud.

Rumor season has been a whirlwind, but with just hours until the end of the trade season, here’s a quick look at the possibilities for Pittsburgh at the deadline that probably won’t happen, and why they haven’t happened and will not occur. , starting with a local beat writer throwing a nuclear weapon into the speech.

These are not the trade rumors you were looking for. In the five years since the Pittsburgh Steelers traded a first- and fifth-round pick in the 2020 draft, plus a sixth in 2021 for Minkah Fitzpatrick, the 28-year-old has become an indispensable part of the one of the deadliest defenses in the NFL. .

In retrospect, the Steelers won the deal hands down. The first-round pick Miami got in the deal is still the Dolphins’ blindside tackle, but Fitzpatrick has established himself as a perennial All-Pro. However, according to Mike DeFabo of Athleticsthe time may be near for Omar Khan to consider sending Fitzpatrick in a trade.

“Fitzpatrick is playing much better than the raw turnover numbers suggest,” DeFabo continued. “He’s a reliable and deterrent tackler when he’s in the middle of the field, which I think is part of why the rest of the DBs have so many PBUs and INTs, so he’s not playing bad by any means. But I don’t think he lives up to his huge salary cap, even after defensive coordinator Teryl Austin made a concerted effort to put Fitzpatrick in the middle of the field more often to become a hawk. .

“If I’m the Steelers, I’m taking a hard look at this position group this offseason. Many teams are pennies on safety, believing they’re often interchangeable. Look at the value DeShon Elliott has provided for a fraction Fitzpatrick still has a solid reputation around the league If he doesn’t generate a lot of noise, it’s really not the craziest idea to see how much another team would offer in a trade and if the Steelers could fill that. role at a higher cost. -conscious solution”

In 2022, Fitzpatrick became Pittsburgh’s first title-winning safety. Team MVP since Troy Polamalu in 2010. He is the only Steeler to snatch that honor from TJ Watt since 2019. However, since this season, Fitzpatrick has not caused a single turnover.

Fitzpatrick hasn’t completely ruined his reputation as a formidable center fielder in the middle of Pittsburgh’s defense. However, Pittsburgh’s long-term salary cap prognosis makes it a plausible consideration. Pittsburgh’s defense is paid more generously than any defense in the league and Fitzpatrick is owed $46 million over the final two years of his contract. Meanwhile, they may have to gamble on Russell Wilson this offseason, pay George Pickens and lock down a No. 2 receiver. The reason that won’t happen is because Fitzpatrick is too much of a leader on the Steelers’ top defense since 2008. There is no reason yet to shake up the apple cart so spectacularly next season.

As the Steelers trade saga drags on, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett has emerged as an extremely hot wide receiver prospect loitering on the Steelers trade block. Lockett, 32, trails DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba in Geno Smith’s target share. In short, he has become more replaceable than at any time in his career.

However, the Steelers have more incentive than any potential suitor for Lockett’s services because of Russell Wilson. More than a decade into his career with the Seahawks, Lockett remains a formidable threat on the field and he has as much history with Wilson as Davante Adams did before his trade to the Jets. Meeting in Pittsburgh would be a storybook ending and, according to Cody Benjamin of CBS Sportshis 30-yard touchdown run against the Rams before halftime could have been his final score as a Seahawk. Here’s what Benjamin had to say.

Mike Tomlin has fully adapted to Russell Wilson’s experience and, so far, that move has paid off, expanding Pittsburgh’s passing game to the top of the AFC North. Why not go the extra mile and reunite Wilson with one of his favorite targets from Seattle? Lockett likely won’t be part of the Seahawks’ long-term plans at 32, with DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba in town, and could be a savvy complement to the field-stretching George Pickens.

Despite a down year, Lockett would bolster the Steelers’ passing offense as they head into the second half of their schedule. Unfortunately, Lockett’s contract and Lockett’s age lowering his value make it even more unlikely for Seattle to trade him. Trading him now would leave $14 million in dead money on their salary cap, while saving them $5 million. As enticing as a Russ-Lockett reunion might be, Seattle has no incentive to make the trade.

Darius Slayton is a more feasible vertical threat than Tyler Lockett and, at 27 years old, he is still in his athletic prime. It looks like the Giants are playing hardball with Darius Slayton. A week ago, NFL insider Tony Pauline spoke about the Steelers’ interest in Slayton while NFL Network’s Mike Garafalo reported that the Giants should be “blown away” by the roster, but since then, nothing has changed.

It defies logic for New York to keep Slayton for life, but alas, the Giants are where they are because of their wacky roster decisions. The Steelers are trying to “get” Slayton out of the Giants’ cold, dead hands, but the Giants have refused every overture according to afternoon radio host Zachary Smith.

This season, Slayton has thrived on the court, despite New York’s abysmal record. He ranks third in targets and receptions for the Giants and has racked up the second-most yards on the team with a team-high 14.7 yards per reception. The Steelers’ pursuit of Slayton intensified after he caught four passes for 108 yards on Monday Night Football in Week 8. However, due to New York’s stubbornness in refusing to trade an impending free agent, he is unlikely to be moved barring a last-minute move. of heart by Joe Schoen.