How did the Steelers’ biggest moves from 2024 pan out?
Let’s take a quick break from talking about the impending quarterback arrival for the Pittsburgh Steelers and reflect on the list of moves that took place last spring and summer.
The Steelers were one of the talks of the NFL in 2024 after the several trades and signings they made, specifically at the quarterback position. At the time, many praised the Steelers for the moves they made, myself included. However, things are much easier to judge with hindsight. With that said, let’s look back at the five biggest moves the Steelers made in 2024.
5. Diontae Johnson Trade
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The Steelers began the offseason by sending their No. 1 wide receiver to the Carolina Panthers. There had been some rumored behind the scenes with Diontae Johnson, who had a two-year stretch where he had 107 and 86 catches, respectively, in 2021 and 2022, so the Steelers sent him to the Panthers in exchange for a sixth-round pick and cornerback Donte Jackson.
The Steelers ended up being the clear winner here. Jackson had five interceptions and had a really good start to the season (admittedly before falling off at the tail end of the campaign) and Johnson played for three teams in 2024. He was traded again before the trade deadline from Carolina to the Baltimore Ravens before they released him after reported internal disputes. He then signed with the Houston Texans for a quick and unremarkable stay. Now, he is with the Cleveland Browns, hoping to get things back on track.
GRADE: B+
4. Kenny Pickett Trade
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Not to pat myself on the back too hard, but I said in January of 2024 that Pickett had played his last game as a Steeler.
I sincerely don’t see Kenny Pickett in Pittsburgh next season.
— Jarrett Bailey (@JBaileyNFL) January 1, 2024
Now, I was very outspoken about how bad of a quarterback Kenny Pickett was (and still is), so imagine my excitement when the Schefter notification hit my phone saying he had been traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Steelers got a third-round pick in 2024 and two 2025 seventh-round picks in exchange for Pickett and a 2024 fourth-round pick. The Steelers used the third-round pick in 2024 to take Payton Wilson and used one of the seventh-round picks to trade for DK Metcalf. They used the other seventh-round pick on Central Michigan cornerback Donte Kent. They also saved themselves from starting one of the worst quarterbacks in football for a third year.
GRADE: A+
Signing Russell Wilson
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The Denver Broncos paid Russell Wilson over $80 million to not be on the team, which was obviously eye-opening in terms of what was going on during his time in Mile High. But for a good while, the Steelers looked like geniuses for starting Wilson once he was 100 percent healthy. Pittsburgh went 4-0 in his first four games as a starter, including a fourth-quarter comeback on the road against the Washington Commanders that featured a trademark moon-ball touchdown to Mike Williams. After that, though, the Steelers went 2-6 the rest of the way, including the wild card loss to Baltimore, and Wilson struggled immensely. The Steelers got to the playoffs, but a switch should have been made back to Justin Fields at the end of the season.
GRADE: B
Justin Fields Trade
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The Steelers traded a 2025 sixth-round pick for Justin Fields, which Chicago in turn traded to the Los Angeles Rams for guard Jonah Jackson. Pittsburgh went 4-2 in the games Fields started where he totaled 10 touchdowns and one interception. Mike Tomlin made the choice to switch to Russell Wilson after those first six games and didn’t go back to Fields when Wilson was struggling, which certainly lowers the grade.
GRADE: B-
In a year’s time, we’ll be able to reflect on the biggest moves of this offseason, specifically the George Pickens trade and the (potential) signing of Aaron Rodgers.