Steelers Blockbuster Trade for Draws Obvious Super Bowl Comparison to Eagles originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Philadelphia Eagles have proven how important a true No. 1 receiver can be to an organization’s championship hopes.
A.J. Brown was acquired in 2022, and the Eagles has reached the Super Bowl in two of his three seasons with the club.
Coincidence? We think not.
Along the way, he has recorded 1,000-yard seasons each year he has been an Eagle. … with Philly hoping more of the same is coming in 2025.
Brown’s importance to Philly may or may not have forced other teams to examine their receiving rooms in an effort to “keep up with the Joneses” … especially as the Eagles employ a pair of receiving stars with DeVonta Smith also worthy of mention here.
But we will buy the notion that the Pittsburgh Steelers’ recent acquisition of Pro Bowl wideout D.K. Metcalf can be compared – maybe favorably – to Philadelphia’s big get
CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr ranked Metcalf’s trade as the No. 1 move of the offseason and compared it to the deal with the Eagles and Brown.
“Metcalf’s numbers should improve in Pittsburgh as he’s the focal point of a good passing game,” Kerr said. “Would it be surprising if Metcalf has the same impact in Pittsburgh as A.J. Brown has had in Philadelphia?”
Fundamental differences exist between the deal that sent Brown to Philadelphia and Metcalf to Pittsburgh. For one thing, the Eagles gave up a first-round pick for a then-24-year-old player.
Metcalf, meanwhile, cost Pittsburgh a second-round pick in the Seattle swap. The former Ole Miss product is 27.
The fact that both Brown and Metcalf are from Ole Miss is a fun note; Each player uses their physicality to their advantage and has enjoyed an excellent career.
Any other similarities to Philadelphia and what they’ve done with their All-Pro receiver? The Steelers sure hope so.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.