Out of nowhere, Ryan Burr of the Big Ten Network and other outlets shockingly reported on Thursday that the Pittsburgh Steelers had "made inquiries to the" Jacksonville Jaguars "about a trade for" Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
"This directly from the horse's mouth in the Jags organization," Burr added.
Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio said that Burr's post was "one of those reports that seems to be far too random to be fabricated," but ESPN Jaguars reporter Michael DiRocco quickly made it known Lawrence isn't going anywhere.
"Regarding recent report that Steelers have inquired about a trade for Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence," DiRocco wrote. "A Jaguars source said there's 'no chance' they'll trade Lawrence and called the idea 'ridiculous.'"
The Jaguars signed Lawrence to a five-year contract extension worth up to $275M with $142M fully guaranteed last offseason, but he then noticeably struggled while playing under head coach Doug Pederson up until the 25-year-old was sidelined in December due to a shoulder injury and a worrisome concussion.
Jacksonville ultimately fired Pederson after the campaign, and Liam Coen completed quite the saga en route to making the move from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to serve as Pederson's replacement. In his Jacksonville introductory news conference, Coen indicated that Lawrence's presence was one reason he accepted the job.
“This will all be about Trevor.”
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) February 13, 2025
Jaguars HC Liam Coen said in his initial press conference that their offense will be built entirely around Trevor Lawrence
: @Jaguars https://t.co/c3tFpqsUpj pic.twitter.com/Oj8oKCk6zn
Meanwhile, Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team and Steelers insider Mark Kaboly of "The Pat McAfee Show" were among the noteworthy individuals who scoffed at the idea of Pittsburgh landing Lawrence at some point after the new league year opens on March 12.
Hey guys. The Jaguars aren't trading Trevor Lawrence for a first-round pick just to eat $100M in dead cap. https://t.co/BXGazPua36
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 13, 2025
It would cost the Jaguars $83M against this year's cap to trade him LOL
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 13, 2025
At this rate, the Steelers will be linked to Patrick Mahomes by the end of next week. pic.twitter.com/5zgv5vX8je
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) February 13, 2025
Calling a team with a new coach (and no GM) and seeing if their QB is available for trade (and getting immediately shut down) isn’t “having discussions.”
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) February 13, 2025
It’s temperature checking and teams do it all the time.
If nothing else, Thursday's online drama seems to show the Steelers are at least considering letting quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields reach free agency next month.
Pittsburgh was previously linked with Aaron Rodgers of the New York Jets and Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons, but NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated is among those who believe the Steelers could target Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams. Pittsburgh could even attempt to acquire both Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp from the Rams before the upcoming draft.
Who could've guessed the NFL's so-called "silly season" would get underway so soon after Super Bowl LIX?
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