In his weekly chats for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Gerry Dulac loves leaving readers wanting more. Last week, he created a stir by suggesting the Pittsburgh Steelers would take Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq should he be available at No. 21 overall. This week, he’s hinting the team could trade one of its starting outside linebackers.
Responding to one chatter who asked about a hypothetical Nick Herbig trade, Dulac answered in suggestive fashion.
“I think the trade would involve someone ahead of him,” Dulac wrote when asked if Herbig could be dealt to acquire 2027 capital.
Dulac didn’t specifically refer to T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith. Highsmith has been subject to plenty of Internet speculation about being traded, a move that would allow Herbig to crack the starting lineup. But there’s been little actual reporting to legitimize the idea that Pittsburgh would trade Highsmith.
Coming off a disappointing season marred by a freak lung injury, Watt – in theory – could be on the move. In December, Dulac suggested DL Cam Heyward or Watt could be moved in the offseason.
“I would not be opposed to trading away one of your highest-priced guys after the season and hoping you get a No. 1 pick in return,” Dulac wrote at the time. “Trust me, it is not far-fetched (wink, wink). Problem is, sometimes the value depreciates as you go.”
Dulac made similar commentary in today’s chat, noting Watt’s value has decreased compared to a season ago. In his 30s and with a big contract, Watt may not even fetch a first-round pick anymore. It’s hard to see Pittsburgh trading him under any circumstance, let alone for just a Day 2 selection.
Given the brevity of Dulac’s comments, it’s hard to know if he thinks trading Watt or Highsmith is a serious consideration. There’s no other evidence to suggest a deal is imminent, and perhaps he was just entertaining the question of how Pittsburgh could acquire 2027 draft picks. But he often drops these chat nuggets worth sharing. If any big name is going to be dealt this offseason, he thinks it won’t be Herbig. It’ll be someone ahead of him on the depth chart, which would vault Herbig from backup to starter.
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