3 galaxy brain trades the Steelers would love to make this offseason

2. The Steelers swap wide receivers with the Buccaneers

This Buccaneers — Steelers swap is a bit more on theme for an article about “galaxy brain” trades. And while this trade seems unlikely to actually happen, it actually makes sense for both sides.

The Steelers need to put talent around their franchise quarterback and the Buccaneers are likely on the precipice of a rebuild after Tom Brady retired this offseason. The Buccaneers need to make efforts to open cap room, get younger, and acquire draft capital.

Mike Evans and Russell Gage are 29 and 27 years old, respectively. They are not necessarily out of their primes, as indicated by their continued high-level play, but they are much closer to the end of their primes than 26-year-old Diontae Johnson and 2022 fourth-round rookie Calvin Austin III.

Through this trade, the Steelers would pick up a true number-one receiver, which is a role Diontae Johnson has yet to fit, having failed to buck his penchant for dropped passes and simple mistakes, despite his evident talent. In Gage, they’d also add some much-needed depth behind George Pickens. Beyond Diontae Johnson, only one wide receiver on the Steelers’ 2022 depth chart had more than 100 career receptions (Anthony Miller).

Through this trade, the Buccaneers would explicitly add two young receivers — one who has already displayed significant potential and a 23-year-old prospect, as well as draft capital and cap flexibility.