Pittsburgh Steelers: NFL Analyst Proposes Head-Scratching Trade For A Backup QB

The Pittsburgh Steelers are no strangers to offseason rumors especially about the quarterback position. The team has tried and failed to find a long term replacement and instead have been trying to squeeze out the last bit of juice from older legends. One NFL analyst proposed a wild trade for the team that nets them a potential starting quarterback.

The Pittsburgh Steelers Trade Who? For Who?

Recently, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell floated a trade idea that has certainly raised some eyebrows in the Steel City. The proposal? Sending budding pass-rush star Nick Herbig to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for backup quarterback Tanner McKee.

The Logic Behind the Trade

To understand why this trade was even suggested, you have to look at the rosters of both teams. The Steelers have arguably the best edge-rushing duo in the league with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Nick Herbig, while incredibly talented, is currently the third man in that rotation. With his rookie contract eventually coming to an end, the logic is that Pittsburgh might want to get value for him rather than paying a third edge rusher starter-level money.

On the other side, the Steelers desperately need a long-term answer at quarterback. The current room is filled with uncertainty. If the team doesn’t land a big fish or if Aaron Rodgers isn’t in the picture, they need a young arm to develop.

Enter Tanner McKee. The Eagles quarterback has shown flashes of promise in limited action. In his six career games, he has thrown five touchdowns and just one interception. Barnwell’s argument is essentially a “scratch my back, I scratch yours” scenario: Philly gets another elite pass rusher (which they love), and Pittsburgh gets a lottery ticket at quarterback.

Why Nick Herbig is Too Valuable to Move

The problem with this trade isn’t the logic; it’s the value. Nick Herbig isn’t just a “depth piece.” He is a legitimate game-wrecker. In 2025, playing largely as a rotational piece, Herbig racked up 7.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, and 18 quarterback hits. Those are starter numbers for many players across the league.

In Pittsburgh, defense is the identity. Having three elite pass rushers isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity in the AFC North. Injuries happen. T.J. Watt has missed time in the past, and Highsmith has dealt with injuries as well. When one of them goes down, Herbig steps in, and the defense doesn’t miss a beat. Trading away that kind of insurance policy—especially one who creates splash plays like forced fumbles and interceptions—weakens the team’s biggest strength.

Furthermore, Herbig is a known commodity. We know he can play in the NFL. We know he fits the Steelers’ scheme perfectly. Trading a proven young talent for a quarterback with six games of experience is a massive risk.

Is Tanner McKee the Answer?

This trade hinges entirely on how the Steelers’ front office views Tanner McKee. If they have scouted him extensively and believe he is a future franchise starter, then trading a pass rusher is a small price to pay. A franchise quarterback is the most valuable asset in sports, worth far more than a situational edge defender.

However, that is a massive “if.” McKee has looked competent, completing over 61% of his passes, but he hasn’t been asked to carry a franchise yet. He hasn’t faced the pressure of being the QB1 in a city like Pittsburgh.

If the Steelers make this move, they are betting that McKee is better than anyone they could draft in the middle rounds or sign in free agency. They would be betting a sure thing (Herbig) on a maybe (McKee).

The Verdict: A Risk Not Worth Taking

While creative, this trade idea feels like a classic case of overthinking. The Steelers have spent years trying to build a defense that can win championships. Nick Herbig is a core part of that young nucleus.

Yes, the Steelers need a quarterback. But trading away elite young talent from your defense to take a flyer on another team’s backup feels like a move a desperate team makes, not a stable franchise like Pittsburgh. The Steelers would be better off keeping their three-headed monster of a pass rush intact and finding their quarterback of the future through the draft or free agency, where the only cost is money or a pick, not a proven player.

For now, this trade remains just a rumor—a wild idea to pass the time until real football returns. And for Steelers fans who love watching Herbig terrorize opposing quarterbacks, that is probably a good thing.