Latest Steelers rumors could pave the way for a blockbuster Rams trade

There is quite a buzz about the Los Angeles Rams this offseason. The NFL rumor mill fired up the grindstone as soon as the team's intention to trade WR Cooper Kupp was publicly announced, by Kupp himself. The proximity of that announcement to the reported interest of Cleveland Browns All-Pro OLB Myles Garett was impossible to ignore, firing up speculation that the Rams might be clearing salary cap space to make a blockbuster trade.

Perhaps the team is aligning with the possibility of a blockbuster trade. But is the focus on the right team? In a recent podcast, NFL Insider Albert Breer hinted that the team that made the most sense to contract the Rams about a trade is the Pittsburgh Steelers. He explained that the Steelers have all the pieces in place for an NFL Playoffs run, but need an upgrade at both the quarterback and wide receiver position.

And right now, the Rams have WR Cooper Kupp on the trade block, and face a contentious renegotiation over Matthew Stafford's contract for 2025 and 2026. The two sides start far apart. So far apart, in fact, that Kelly Stafford is already venting that she would love the adventure of being traded to a new NFL team.

There is no need to get angry or to deny current events. It will get much worse before the two sides reach an agreement, if they do. How do I know this? While nobody can know the future, we know that the two sides struggled to come to terms in 2024, and there is even more uncertainty in 2025.

Are Steelers already a dark horse trade partner?

The truth of 2025 is that even if the LA Rams do manage to renegotiate a contract that is acceptable to Matthew Stafford, the clock is ticking. Matthew Stafford is 37 years old, has fought off countless injuries, and is beginning to show the wear and tear that plagues all NFL quarterbacks past a certain point in their NFL careers. I'm not suggesting that Stafford is not an NFL Playoff-caliber quarterback. He is.

But he Pittsburgh Steelers are now subject to NFL rumors as well, as they are reportedly not bringing back veteran QB Russell Wilson. So what does that mean for the Rams?

That has opened the floodgates of NFL rumors about the Rams trading away both veterans, quarterback Matthew Stafford, and wide receiver Cooper Kupp, to the Pittsburgh Steelers. While still speculative, this scenario is heating up quickly with both the fans and NFL experts. And in some ways, it could make some sense.

Without Wilson, the Steelers have to be viewed as a team in need of a quarterback. And with eight draft picks, they could be persuaded to fatten the Rams draft coffers for Stafford and Kupp if there is mutual interest. If such a scenario played out, the Rams could conceivably re-sign QB Jimmy Garoppolo, add a young(ish) quarterback free agent like Justin Fields, and be prepared to trade both Stafford and Kupp to the Steelers.

Too outlandish? Too far fetched? Since the end of the 2024 NFL season, the Rams have already stunned fans by placing veteran WR Cooper Kupp on the trade block. At this point, anything is possible.

No, the two teams are not currently known to be exploring a trade. And even if they do engage in trade talks, the Rams are still expected to rework Stafford's contract to his satisfaction. But it's the offseason, the Rams are pivoting on offense. Keep an eye on what Jimmy Garoppolo's offseason plans are. And for heaven's sake, stay tuned.

As always, thanks for reading.

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