Blockbuster NFL Trade Proposal Ships Steelers $96 Million All-Pro to Fix Defense
The Pittsburgh Steelers acquired safety Kyle Dugger from the New England Patriots on Tuesday night. But if the Steelers are open to more trading, could they be a potential fit for a massive move for a lineman such as Quinnen Williams before the NFL trade deadline next week?
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox argued the Steelers could be. Knox named the team one of two potential suitors for Williams, who made first-team All-Pro in 2022.
“A three-time Pro Bowler with 40 sacks on his NFL resume, Williams is the sort of player who would land the Jets premium draft capital that could be used to chase a quarterback in 2026,” Knox wrote. “He won’t turn 28 until December, and he’s under contract through 2027.”
Williams has posted 32 combined tackles, including seven tackles for loss in eight games this season. He also has three forced fumbles, three quarterback hits and a sack.
However, the New York Jets defensive lineman wouldn’t come cheaply. Knox argued any trade proposal for Williams should begin with a 2026 first-round pick.
That’s why pundits are likely to see any move to acquire the Jets defensive lineman as a “blockbuster.”
The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, November 4.
How Quinnen Williams Could Fit With the Steelers
The Steelers saw first hand the kind of impact Williams can make. In Week 1 versus the Steelers, Williams registered three quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, and one sack.
That’s the biggest impact the Jets defensive lineman has had on a game this season.
The Steelers offensive line had a slow start to the season, and it’s possible Williams’ big season opener was partly due to poor technique from Broderick Jones. The Steelers shouldn’t acquire Williams just because of what he did against them.
Having said that, according to the Pro Football Focus player grades, the 27-year-old has been the Jets’ best defender in 2025. He’s also been one of the top run defenders in the league this season.
The Steelers’ biggest defensive problem has been in pass coverage. But improving in run defense could help the unit dedicate more defenders against the pass.
At the very least, if Williams helped the Steelers shut down the run, Pittsburgh opponents would be one-dimensional.
Williams could improve the Steelers pass rush as well. He has recorded at least 5.5 sacks in each season since 2020.
Why the Steelers Shouldn’t Acquire Williams
Age hasn’t been a big concern for the Steelers while they’ve tried to find defensive improvements over the past couple years. But at some point, it has to become a concern.
While Williams is still on the right side of 30 (he turns 28 in December), he could be closer to his decline than his peak.
The Steelers defense arguably already has too many of those types of players. The unit has a lot of former All-Pros who aren’t playing at that level anymore in 2025. That’s likely due to age.
If this were the first veteran the Steelers were adding to their defense in quite some time, it wouldn’t be a big concern. But he’s not.
Trading a first-round pick and more selections would also very likely rule out the Steelers finding a future franchise quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft.
In March, the Steelers would still have Williams but potentially no quarterback if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t return.
Williams could be just the defensive lineman to fix multiple issues for the Steelers defense in 2025. But the team needs a youth movement along the defensive front, and adding Williams would come with just too big of a mortgage to be a good idea.
Colts Rookie Benched for Disciplinary Violation — Hasn’t Played a Single Snap After Shane Steichen’s Tough Message on Standards
The Indianapolis Colts’ seventh-round rookie wide receiver has yet to see the field this season — and head coach Shane Steichen just made it clear why.
Despite impressing during offseason workouts with his speed and versatility, the young wideout has remained on the practice squad since Week 1, with Steichen citing discipline and execution as the main reasons behind the decision.
“HE'S GOT THE TALENT, NO QUESTION. BUT IN INDIANAPOLIS, EXECUTION IS EVERYTHING. HE MISSED READS, BLEW ASSIGNMENTS, AND DIDN'T MASTER THE DETAILS. AROUND HERE, YOU DON'T EARN SNAPS WITH POTENTIAL — YOU EARN THEM BY PLAYING THE COLTS WAY.”
The rookie in question is Junior Bergen, a seventh-round pick (No. 252 overall) from Montana, who signed a four-year rookie contract shortly after the 2025 NFL Draft. Bergen flashed promise as a slot receiver and return specialist during training camp, drawing early comparisons to former Colts gadget players known for their versatility and intelligence.
However, insiders from the team’s practice sessions revealed that Bergen struggled to learn route progressions, execute assignments precisely, and adjust to the pace and complexity of Steichen’s offense — a system renowned for demanding timing, precision, and mental sharpness.
The Colts waived Bergen on August 26, 2025, only to re-sign him to the practice squad the following day — a move Steichen described as part of the development process rather than a punishment.
“He’s learning,” Steichen said. “But at this level, talent isn’t enough. You have to prove every day that you understand your job and that your teammates can trust you to execute it.”
Bergen has since worked closely with receivers coach Reggie Wayne, focusing on improving his route discipline and timing. Despite being benched from active play, team sources say the 23-year-old has shown steady progress and remains a long-term project for the Colts’ offense.
Still, Steichen’s message was unmistakable: in Indianapolis, consistency and preparation are non-negotiable. “This organization is built on accountability,” he said. “Every player here — whether it’s a Pro Bowler or a rookie — is expected to uphold that standard. Until you do, you sit.”
For Junior Bergen, the lesson is clear. The path back to the field won’t come from talent alone — it will come from mastering the details and earning the right to play the
