Steelers Tabbed as Landing Spot for Pro Bowl WR

Another week and another pundit has thrown the Steelers’ hat into the ring for a potential trade target. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report named Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans as a player that could end up as a potential player that the Steelers could target.

The logic is not that hard to follow. Following the Diontae Johnson injury, the team has a massive void at receiver. Even though the injury is not likely long-term, the team could still look to upgrade the room even outside that context. But that is the main crutch for the postulating on this potential deal.

“The Pittsburgh Steelers should also eye Evans if he’s available. Pittsburgh’s offense got very little going against San Francisco in Week 1, and the Steelers lost Diontae Johnson to a hamstring injury,” Knox wrote.

The New York Giants were the other potential destination if the Buccaneers decide to move on. Evans did not sign a long-term contract with the Buccaneers after negotiations essentially went nowhere. A player who has spent his entire career in Tampa Bay, Evans wanted a long-term deal that could give him security, but the Buccaneers were not interested in giving him that deal.

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Now, with the Buccaneers in limbo following the Tom Brady era, the team could look to load up on draft picks if they so wish. Moving Evans, who would become a free agent following the season, could net the team some valuable draft picks. That’s the logic here, though I doubt the Steelers would look to make a short-term splash move like that. Often, when they have made trades like this, it ends up being for guys they view as long-term cornerstone pieces, such as Minkah Fitzpatrick. But Evans seems to have plenty left in the tank, so despite now entering his age-30 season, Evans has produced for the Buccaneers every year.