Joe Starkey Wants Steelers to Trade T J Watt for Herbig
Joe Starkey says the Steelers should trade t j watt and put Nick Herbig first. He answered the question plainly: the move should have happened long ago in the name of rebuilding.
“Yes, they should, Dr. Team.” Starkey wrote. He added that Watt would still bring back value even after a contract, and said the Steelers should be willing to listen if Philadelphia, Dallas, the Giants or the Buffalo Bills call.
Watt’s down-year numbers
Starkey backed the argument with Watt’s production: seven sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, eight defended passes, 10 tackles for loss, 27 quarterback pressures and 19 quarterback hits. In his view, that line still leaves Watt as a desirable trade piece, not a finished one.
He put a clear price on it, too. Starkey said the Steelers could get a first-round pick for Watt, though he would not expect the Garrett package in return. That distinction sets the ceiling for what Pittsburgh could reasonably ask if it ever entertained the kind of deal he is pushing.
Nick Herbig over T.J. Watt
“And yes, Nick Herbig should be the priority here. I have written that. He’s a star in the making.” Starkey said that directly, making Herbig the younger edge rusher he would build around.
The argument is not just about one player leaving and another stepping in. Starkey also said he would protect eight Steelers in an expansion draft: Troy Fautanu, Nick Herbig, Alex Highsmith, Derrick Harmon, Zach Frazier, Max Iheanachor, Joey Porter Jr. and Chris Boswell.
Boswell and the roster cut
That list included Boswell, who Starkey called one of the top five kickers in NFL history. He said he would keep Boswell because he loves automatic field goals, a useful clue to how he values proven specialists when roster decisions get tight.
For Steelers readers, the message is direct. Starkey is not treating Watt as untouchable, is not asking for a blockbuster return, and is putting Herbig ahead of a veteran star who still posted seven sacks and 27 quarterback pressures in a down year.
