The Jacksonville Jaguars have reportedly shut down rumors that the Pittsburgh Steelers have called to inquire about possibly trading for franchise quarterback and former number-one overall pick Trevor Lawrence. According to a source working directly with the Jaguars that spoke to the Big Ten Network’s Ryan Burr, Pittsburgh had previously reached out to Jacksonville to discuss the possibility of trading for Lawrence just hours before the Jags denied these trade rumors.
Jacksonville said there is “no chance” that they will trade Trevor Lawrence, according to a source who spoke to ESPN’s Michael DiRocco, calling the idea “ridiculous.” The source added that no conversation had taken place between the Steelers and the Jaguars regarding a trade for TLaw. The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero backed DiRocco’s report on an episode of “The Rich Eisen Show,” calling the rumors “fake.”
“From my understanding – and I know there’s been various things reported and rumored – my understanding is they still want to get either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields back,” Pelissero said. “The Steelers never called on Trevor Lawrence. Trevor Lawrence isn’t getting traded for any number of reasons. I don’t even know who you would call. They don’t even have a GM right now! You think the interim GM is going to be able to trade the franchise quarterback? No. There’s nothing there. They didn’t call. It’s fake.”
Lawrence only played in ten games for the Jaguars before undergoing season-ending surgery to repair an AC Joint injury in his non-throwing shoulder. In those ten starts, he posted a 2-8 record while throwing for 2,045 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
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The Jaguars should at least hear the Steelers out
If Jacksonville had hired a general manager before finding its new head coach (like most normal sports franchises), then I think there would be more truth to these rumors. I also believe that the Jags would be inclined to at least take the Steelers’ call and hear them out if they had a general manager because that’s just a part of the job. You have to do your due diligence and be open to every possibility as the GM of an NFL franchise.
Once Jacksonville hires its new general manager, I imagine Pittsburgh will inquire about the availability of Trevor Lawrence. Though I expect the Jaguars’ stance not to change, I would still test the Steelers and see how desperate they are by sending them a ridiculous trade proposal. If Jacksonville could get T.J. Watt, three first-round picks, and a few later picks for Lawrence, I believe the Jaguars’ new GM would have a hard time saying no to that deal. T.J. Watt is arguably as valuable to Pittsburgh (if not more valuable) than Trevor Lawrence is to Jacksonville. If you can land a former Defensive Player of the Year and double your first-round draft picks over the next three years, that could drastically alter the future of your franchise.
While I think the Jags will listen to proposals from the Steelers, I’m confident that Trevor Lawrence will remain in Jacksonville. As good as T.J. Watt is, he’s 30 years old, and we’re starting to see injuries catch up to him. He hurt his arm in Pittsburgh’s lone playoff game and finished the contest without a single tackle. Jacksonville almost certainly won’t trade away their 25-year-old franchise quarterback who is two years removed from a playoff win and a Pro Bowl selection.
Again, I think the Jaguars’ next GM should take the Steelers’ call if they do reach out. That’s just how the NFL operates. However, Jacksonville’s asking price for Trevor Lawrence will definitely be too high for Pittsburgh.
Will either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields be the Steelers’ starter next season?
Apparently, the answer to that question is yes, according to Tom Pelissero. Pittsburgh has reportedly said that it still wants either Wilson or Fields to return. This poses another interesting question: why?
I get that Wilson was a Pro Bowler last year and Fields was 4-2 as the starter, but the season still ended the same way it has every time the Steelers have made the playoffs since 2020, with a first-round exit. Continually failing to make it past the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs is unacceptable for a franchise that is tied with the New England Patriots for the most Super Bowl wins of all time.
Unfortunately, head coach Mike Tomlin appears to be stuck in his ways. Just ask former Patriots wide receiver and Super Bowl LIII MVP Julian Edelman, who said the Steelers “still do the same God d*mn sh*t” as when he was playing. Considering Edelman’s last game against Pittsburgh came in 2019, that is a pretty damning quote that shows the Steelers have a problem adapting to the constantly-changing NFL landscape.
I do expect Wilson to be the starter in 2025. He only had the chance to start 11 games last year, but he still posted a 6-5 record during the regular season and was named to the Pro Bowl after throwing for 2,482 yards and 16 touchdowns. I have a feeling that Pittsburgh wants a little bit more consistency at the quarterback position after having five different QBs start at least one game over the last two years, so Wilson will probably be their guy next season.
I do think there is one other person who the Steelers would welcome with open arms to replace both Wilson and Fields. Aaron Rodgers has praised Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin many times throughout his career. More importantly, the Jets announced plans to move on from him as their QB. If the Steelers can be patient and wait until Rodgers is released by the Jets, then they could sign him at a reduced rate and replace Russell Wilson with a guy who was better last year statistically.
