We’re officially in the NFL’s silly season where the craving for football pushes logic to the side in lieu of some truly ridiculous rumors. The best/worst one of the week is that the Steelers have been in talks with the Jacksonville Jaguars about making a deal for QB Trevor Lawrence.
Trevor Lawrence to Steelers trade rumors are dumb and make no sense
Stop it.
Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
Make no mistake: The Steelers would fall head-over-heels to make a deal for Lawrence. The only problem is that the rumor functionally, and practically makes absolutely no sense.
There are so many holes in this rumor that it’s difficult to know which one to plug first.
No. 1: The Jaguars don’t even have a GM right now
I don’t know who the Steelers are “inquiring to,” because Jacksonville is in the middle of a search for the new general manager. Teams know this kind of stuff. Established general managers like Steelers’ Omar Khan knows this stuff.
Teams do not make or field any trade calls without a GM present. It’s just not done. Even if you imagine there is a scenario where the Steelers found someone to answer the phone, it never would have involved discussing draft picks. Again, it’s just not how deals are made. The first step would have been to call and ask if the team is even interested in dealing Lawrence, and then if the answer is yes an offer comes through.
No. 2: No GM in their right mind would lowball an offer like this
Even if you’re the world’s biggest Trevor Lawrence hater you know that the No. 21 pick and a second rounder is so far removed from value for a starting QB that it’s asinine. At the very least it would take multiples firsts and more, because ultimately people inside the NFL know Lawrence is a good QB stuck in bad situations, and the talent is there.
Nobody is trading a 4,000 yard quarterback for back-end picks in a draft with no QB talent.
No. 3: Trevor Lawrence has a no trade clause
There’s no point having any discussion about a deal anyway, because Lawrence can’t be traded without his approval. Why the hell would he want to go to Pittsburgh?
Yes, it’s a much better, more stable organization — I get that. However, the Jags just landed a hot commodity coach in Liam Coen who propelled Baker Mayfield to the Pro Bowl, the Jaguars have weapons in Brian Thomas Jr. and Christian Kirk. Everything is set for this team to move forward positively.
If he landed on the Steelers the cupboards would be bare. The team lacks receivers, both its running backs are free agents, and he’d be going to an infinitely more difficult division. That’s before we even dive into leaving Florida, where Lawrence has made a home, to go to Pittsburgh. He asked for that no trade clause for a reason, and it was to stop things like this.
This deal is never going to happen
Is there a scenario where the Jaguars might consider trading Trevor Lawrence and he might waive his no-trade — maybe. But that won’t happen for at least one year to see how he meshes with Liam Coen, and it sure as hell isn’t happening for a 1st and 2nd round pick in a bad draft.
Sorry Steelers fans, you’re going to need to find a QB elsewhere.
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