It’s less than two weeks into the new league year, and the NFL’s already set a record. The Pittsburgh Steelers helped the cause.
As shared by ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Friday, the league has made 19 trades since deals became permitted on Wednesday, March 11th. That’s the most the league’s ever completed through this point of a new league year, and serves as a reminder of a league that’s gone from rarely trading to freely wheeling and dealing.
This is the 19th trade since the new league year kicked off last week. The league never has had this much trade activity this early in the new league year. https://t.co/R7rptJ8sif
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 20, 2026
Pittsburgh comprised one of those 19 deals. Roughly 30 minutes into the legal tampering period, the Steelers agreed to acquire Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. and a seventh-round pick in exchange for a sixth-round selection, a move of just 14 spots. Pittman received a new contract extension, three years and $59 million. The deal was officially completed last Friday.
Omar Khan hasn’t been afraid to make trades. Especially for wide receivers. Last year, DK Metcalf came in, and George Pickens was sent out. This year, Pittman added to the fold. Pittsburgh has more teams to call, should they have interest, to reinvest and restock in a position in need of it.
Though still not on the level of baseball or basketball, NFL trades are increasing. Teams are willing to trade picks and players to aggressively reshape their rosters.
Why? A couple of potential reasons. Trades beget trades. Once deals feel like the “norm,” they’re more likely to occur. The Los Angeles Rams have been among the league’s most aggressive in their moves, which have paid off. None bigger than landing QB Matthew Stafford in a deal that sent QB Jared Goff to the Detroit Lions, a blockbuster move that shook up football. Coupled with his “F Them Picks” mentality, which brought a Super Bowl, it’s a model that teams copy.
Another factor. General managers are getting younger. Right now, the average age is 48.9 years old (this excludes owner Jerry Jones, Vikings interim GM Rob Brzezinski, and Mike Borgonzi, whose age isn’t public). More than half are under 50, including the 49-year-old Omar Khan. Two are in their 30s: Cleveland’s Andrew Berry (38) and Jacksonville’s James Gladstone (35). Only one is truly “old” in New Orleans’ Mickey Loomis, who is 70. Largely, a younger generation is willing to be more aggressive and get deals done than the older, more conservative guard.
For a Pittsburgh Steelers team with 12 draft picks and looking to deal, this is good news. Trades aren’t inherently good or bad. The deals need to make sense. But the league is more open to big swings than ever before, keeping it exciting and feeling more like the nonstop movement of the NBA and MLB.
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