Mike Tomlin accidently revealed Steelers' big trade deadline plans
Coach Tomlin needs to think twice about his philosophy at the deadline this year.
Following an embarrassing 35-25 home loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football, the media caught up to Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during his Tuesday press conference. Tomlin offered encouraging injury updates and went to bat for defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.
But the long-time head coach may have also quietly revealed his NFL trade deadline plans.
When asked about the November 4 NFL trade deadline, Tomlin didn't shy away from revealing which direction the Steelers could go.
"We're always open for business," Tomlin said during his Week 9 presser. "Especially as we near the trade deadline. We're always buyers."
The Pittsburgh Steelers should not be buyers at the 2025 NFL trade deadline
It's hardly surprising to hear Coach Tomlin say that the Steelers are 'buyers' or that they are always in the market to add talent. But if we're objectively evaluating this team and what we've seen through their first seven games, there might not be a good enough reason to mortgage valuable draft capital this year.
Buying at the deadline sounds good in theory. The Steelers still sit on a winning record (4-3) entering Week 9 and currently hold the lead in an otherwise unspectacular division. Likewise, they've got a 41-year-old quarterback and an aging defense. Theoretically, the window of opportunity to win should be now.
But quite frankly, this team doesn't remotely resemble a contender.
Nearly halfway through the season, the Steelers are +0 in point differential while possessing one of the league's worst defenses on paper (despite being the most expensive unit in the NFL). And things could go from bad to worse.
The Steelers have more daunting matchups ahead. They will host the 7-1 Indianapolis Colts this week before facing teams like the Chargers, Bills, and Lions down the stretch. The Ravens will also be getting Lamar Jackson back soon, and Pittsburgh still has two games against Baltimore.
Had the Pittsburgh Steelers looked much stronger ahead of the deadline, I would be all for making win-now moves. Though this is clearly the direction Mike Tomlin wants to take, it would not be wise for the front office to part with valuable draft capital for a team that appears to be nothing more than a pretender in 2025.
Colts urged to trade Anthony Richardson for 2 assets to cut ties on huge draft bust
The Indianapolis Colts would've never wanted this to even be a possible conversation.
They drafted Anthony Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick in 2023. He was supposed to finally be their quarterback answer after wandering in the wilderness following Andrew Luck's surprise retirement.
Instead, two-and-change years later, Richardson is in trade talks before the Nov. 4 NFL deadline.
It's a weirdly OK problem for the Colts to have, because they're 7-1, and Daniel Jones is shining brightly as their QB.
Maybe it is time to cut the losses and trade Richardson rather than having to figure out what to do with him later. If an offer comes in, maybe it's the right thing.
ESPN's Ben Solak has suggested one in a new analysis out Tuesday, writing that the Colts should trade Richardson to the Minnesota Vikings for a third- and a sixth-round pick.
"The price (a third-round pick) might look big," Solak writes. "But Trey Lance was moved for a fourth-round pick two years into his career, and Richardson has been better and played more at a similar career stage. Plus, there's a fifth-rounder going back."
Minnesota could use the dart throw, given Carson Wentz is out for the year and J.J. McCarthy is just coming back from an ankle injury and hasn't looked particularly polished when he's been out there.
"I don't know how bright of a future Richardson has in the league," Solak writes. "If he is to find one, it's hard to imagine a better place to rebound than in Minnesota under (Kevin) O'Connell. As evidenced by quarterbacks across the league, almost anything is possible in the right new home."
Jones is a great example of quarterback redemption.
Richardson probably won't turn it around in Indy. But maybe somewhere else, he'll have a chance.
