Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt recently stirred up speculation after posting a mysterious photo on his Instagram story, flashing a peace sign. This simple gesture set off a wave of rumors among fans and analysts, with many wondering if it was a sign of an impending trade.
Among the predictions, the Green Bay Packers emerged as a rumored destination due to Watt’s ties to Wisconsin. However, ESPN’s Chris Canty from Unsportsmanlike offered a different take — suggesting the San Francisco 49ers should pursue a trade for Watt and, in return, send quarterback Brock Purdy to Pittsburgh.
Canty argued that the 49ers, having lost some depth on defense this offseason, could benefit from pairing Watt with Fred Warner and Nick Bosa to reinforce their front seven. He believes Watt would bring much-needed firepower to the Niners’ already formidable defense. In Canty’s eyes, this deal could also solve Pittsburgh’s lingering quarterback question.
The Steelers have been in search of a franchise quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement. While Kenny Pickett showed flashes of potential, his inconsistency led the team to bring in veteran Russell Wilson for the 2025 season. But neither Wilson, who’s near the end of his career, nor Justin Fields — who the Steelers acquired in a low-risk trade — represents a guaranteed long-term solution.
Canty’s proposal would send Brock Purdy, who led the 49ers to the Super Bowl in the 2023 season, to Pittsburgh. While Purdy has been efficient under head coach Kyle Shanahan’s system, questions remain about how well he would perform outside of that structured offensive scheme.
The NFL has seen examples of quarterbacks leaving Shanahan’s system and struggling elsewhere — with Jimmy Garoppolo being a notable case. After leaving San Francisco, Garoppolo’s production dropped significantly, and he found himself backing up a rookie in Las Vegas.
With that context, trading a generational pass-rusher like Watt for a quarterback like Purdy may not make the most sense for Pittsburgh. Watt has been the heart of the Steelers’ defense since being drafted in 2017. He’s a former Defensive Player of the Year, a multi-time Pro Bowler, and arguably one of the most dominant edge rushers in football. Moving him for a quarterback who might not thrive without Shanahan’s guidance could be a risky move with questionable upside.
If the Steelers were ever to consider parting ways with Watt — something that currently seems unlikely — the more strategic route might be to acquire high-value draft picks. These assets could then be used to trade up in a future draft and select a top-tier quarterback prospect. That approach would give Pittsburgh a better chance to land a true franchise quarterback and maintain long-term competitiveness.
Ultimately, while the idea of Watt-for-Purdy is interesting on paper, it’s far from a perfect fit. For now, Steelers fans can breathe easy — Watt isn’t going anywhere just yet, but the buzz surrounding his cryptic post shows how much his future means to Pittsburgh.