Steelers-Browns trade pitch sends $4 million Pro Bowl QB, Aaron Rodgers replacement to Pittsburgh

"(Shedeur) Sanders could very well provide them with a shot at long-term stability,” Wilcox wrote last Thursday. “Assuming Rodgers comes back this year, Sanders learning behind him could be the best thing for him.”

“Sanders has three more years, including 2026, left on his rookie deal. It would make sense for the Steelers to see if he could be their long -term answer.”

“While they’re expecting Rodgers to be back in 2026, that doesn’t mean he’ll come back for a 23rd season. Pittsburgh has to start putting themselves first at the most important position. There’s no guarantee Sanders is the answer, but with the opportunity to land him, Pittsburgh would be wise to entertain it.”

Sanders is currently in a tight battle with Deshaun Watson for the Browns’ starting QB role. Although the consensus is that Watson has a leg up on Sanders now, there's no guarantee he’ll outplay the former Colorado star the rest of the way.

In other words, the position is still up for grabs in early May, and even if Sanders comes in second place, Cleveland will likely want to keep him around as a dependable backup. Additionally, trading Shedeurs to a division rival is difficult to visualize, as such deals are rare in the modern NFL.

That said, anything can happen at any time in the big leagues, and Pittsburgh's enticing offer for Sanders could prompt a surprising AFC North trade.

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