The rule of negotiating. By no means lead along with your finest provide. That’s the method the Pittsburgh Steelers are taking this offseason of their seek for one other offensive playmaker. In accordance with prime CBS Sports activities insider Jonathan Jones, the Steelers aren’t giving groups their finest deal. Not but, anyway.
“They’re going to need to get one other cross catcher,” Jones instructed Kyle Lengthy by way of the Pushing the Pile podcast. “I don’t know if that’s vast receiver and I don’t know if that’s tight finish. They’re going to need to get cross catcher. They usually know that. They’ve been lowballing groups once they make a name. ‘Hey, how about this man? No, we’re not doing that for a conditional sixth-round decide.’ They’ll get there.”
Within the commerce market, Pittsburgh has been presently linked to a pair of names, each tight ends. The Atlanta Falcons’ Kyle Pitts and the Miami Dolphins’ Jonnu Smith. Whereas neither would fill the vast receiver sneakers left by George Pickens, each are athletic and succesful receivers. Since 2021, Pitts ranks fifth within the NFL amongst tight ends with 2,651 yards receiving whereas Smith is 18th at simply over 2,000, coming off a profession 12 months with the Miami Dolphins.
Each gamers have clear ties to Steelers’ offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Pitts was the primary decide throughout Smith’s tenure with the Falcons and spent three seasons collectively. Jonnu Smith was drafted by Tennessee when Smith served as tight ends coach earlier than being promoted to offensive coordinator. In 2023, Arthur Smith’s Falcons traded for Smith the place he put up strong numbers regardless of taking part in behind Pitts.
It’s not clear if Jones is being literal or hypothetical together with his “conditional sixth-round” remark. Both manner, it’s apparent Pittsburgh isn’t bringing their prime provide to the desk. The Steelers try to carry onto as many high-value picks in 2026 as doable to both load up on expertise in subsequent 12 months’s draft or protect property to commerce up for a quarterback.
Jones sounds satisfied Pittsburgh will finally add someone. Within the case of Pitts and Smith, each gamers know Arthur Smith’s offense nicely and gained’t want a lot time to get acclimated to the Steelers. Somebody with out these shut ties would require an extended runway.
Deadlines spur motion. That’s the previous adage. This time of 12 months isn’t fertile floor for trades. Groups are content material holding onto their expertise whereas evaluating the roster and ensuring key property keep wholesome. And Pittsburgh isn’t able to overplay their hand in the event that they don’t need to. Maybe there can be extra motion close to the beginning of coaching camp or by cutdowns in late August when rosters get set and trades decide up.
