Steelers-Browns trade pitch sends $4 million Pro Bowl QB, Aaron Rodgers replacement to Pittsburgh

Steelers-Browns trade pitch sends $4 million Pro Bowl QB, Aaron Rodgers replacement to Pittsburgh originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Aaron Rodgers is the Pittsburgh Steelers’ presumed starting quarterback for the 2026-27 season.

Although the 42-year-old hasn’t officially committed to return to Pittsburgh for another season, all signs point to him quarterbacking the Steelers in Year 22. Still, Rodgers’ return wouldn’t help Pittsburgh move any closer to solidifying their long-term/franchise QB.

Will Pittsburgh roll with Will Howard (24) or Drew Allar (22)? Or trade for a signal-caller who they believe possesses a higher upside? Judging by Fansided’s Wynston Wilcox’s recent trade idea, sending the Cleveland Browns’ 24-year-old QB to Pittsburgh, it isn’t preposterous to suggest he’s leaning toward option No. 2.

“(Shedeur) Sanders could very well provide them with a shot at long-term stability,” Wilcox wrote last Thursday. “Assuming Rodgers comes back this year, Sanders learning behind him could be the best thing for him.”

“Sanders has three more years, including 2026, left on his rookie deal. It would make sense for the Steelers to see if he could be their long -term answer.”

“While they’re expecting Rodgers to be back in 2026, that doesn’t mean he’ll come back for a 23rd season. Pittsburgh has to start putting themselves first at the most important position. There’s no guarantee Sanders is the answer, but with the opportunity to land him, Pittsburgh would be wise to entertain it.”

Sanders is currently in a tight battle with Deshaun Watson for the Browns’ starting QB role. Although the consensus is that Watson has a leg up on Sanders now, there’s no guarantee he’ll outplay the former Colorado star the rest of the way.

In other words, the position is still up for grabs in early May, and even if Sanders comes in second place, Cleveland will likely want to keep him around as a dependable backup. Additionally, trading Shedeurs to a division rival is difficult to visualize, as such deals are rare in the modern NFL.

That said, anything can happen at any time in the big leagues, and Pittsburgh’s enticing offer for Sanders could prompt a surprising AFC North trade.

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