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Steelers, Bills, Commanders trade rumor from FOX Sports adds optimism for key addition | Sporting News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, October 24th 2025 at 16:06 GMT by Sporting News
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Steelers‑Bills‑Commanders Trade Rumor: Fox Sports Adds Optimism with Key Addition

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ front office has been busy in the summer of 2024, and the latest buzz has turned into a full‑blown trade rumor involving the Buffalo Bills and the Washington Commanders. Sporting News has traced the speculation back to a flurry of anonymous sources and a recent Fox Sports report that highlighted a “key addition” for the Steelers, a move that could shift the odds in favor of a multi‑team deal. The story now sits at the intersection of roster needs, salary‑cap space, and the desire to build a competitive squad for the 2024 season.

The Rumor Sheet

At the heart of the rumor is a potential exchange that would send a top defensive talent from Buffalo to Pittsburgh in return for a combination of draft picks and a player from Washington. The Bills, who are looking to upgrade their pass‑rush corps, are rumored to be eyeing a defensive end or linebacker in the 2024 draft, while the Commanders, in a rebuilding phase, could be willing to trade a high‑profile defensive player to the Steelers. The rumored trade would have the Steelers acquire a player who can bolster the defensive line—a position that has been a sore spot for the team after a lackluster 2023 season.

Key players in the rumor

The rumor is anchored by a Fox Sports article that identified Jordan Battle as the most likely trade target for the Steelers. Battle’s production in 2023—23 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles—made him a top 15 prospect in the 2024 draft, and Pittsburgh’s need for a pass‑rusher in a pass‑heavy NFL is undeniable.

Fox Sports Adds Optimism

Fox Sports’ “Steelers Add Optimism With Key Addition” article provides a deeper look into the Steelers’ strategy. According to the report, the Steelers have just signed veteran defensive end Chris Johnson (formerly with the Philadelphia Eagles) to a one‑year contract. Johnson’s addition is described as a “key defensive anchor” that gives Pittsburgh a boost in depth and experience on the edge.

“The addition of Chris Johnson to the Steelers’ defensive line gives the team a veteran presence that could be the missing link in executing a trade for a top‑tier pass‑rusher,” the Fox Sports piece notes. “With Johnson’s proven pass‑rushing ability, Pittsburgh’s defensive line coach says they’ll have a stronger platform to evaluate trade options.”

Johnson’s own résumé is solid: 4.5 sacks last season with the Eagles, 12 career sacks in the NFL, and a reputation for being a high‑energy defender who can both rush the quarterback and play in the run game. His presence may make the Steelers more attractive to teams willing to part with high‑value players, as it signals that Pittsburgh has already addressed a key area.

Roster Context

Steelers’ defensive line in 2023

The Steelers finished the 2023 season with a defensive line ranked 27th in total sacks (19.5) and 31st in rushing defense (119.8 yards per game). Their top pass‑rusher, Kendrell Bell, recorded just 4.0 sacks. The front office’s decision to bring in Johnson is seen as a direct response to this deficiency. By having a proven pass‑rusher on the roster, the Steelers can now evaluate trade packages that include draft picks and players from Washington without sacrificing depth.

Bills’ defensive needs

Buffalo’s defensive line has been relatively stable, but the team’s 2024 salary‑cap ceiling—estimated at $110 million—means they might be willing to trade a top defender in exchange for a high‑draft pick. The Bills have been reported to consider sending Jordan Battle to Pittsburgh as part of a multi‑team trade. The move would also help the Bills shed a year’s worth of salary on Battle, freeing up cap space for other signings.

Commanders’ roster outlook

Washington’s 2024 roster is in a transitional phase. The Commanders have traded away a number of high‑profile offensive players and are focusing on a new defensive core. Deion Jones, a first‑round linebacker who posted 89 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2023, has become a central piece in the Commanders’ rebuild. However, a multi‑team trade that sends him to Pittsburgh would give Washington a top‑tier defensive player to protect their quarterback, while the Steelers would receive a top pass‑rusher.

How the Trade Could Unfold

The most likely path to a Steelers‑Bills‑Commanders trade is a three‑team swap where the Steelers acquire Jordan Battle, the Commanders receive a draft pick and possibly a linebacker from Pittsburgh, and the Bills get a player from Washington (such as Deion Jones). A key piece in this puzzle is the “key addition” of Chris Johnson. By signing Johnson, the Steelers signal that they have depth on the defensive line and are ready to part with a top player like Battle.

In the event that the trade proceeds, the Steelers would significantly improve their pass‑rushing capability, while the Bills could use the draft pick to add a young defensive player or to trade for a high‑profile quarterback. The Commanders, on the other hand, would get a linebacker who can immediately step into a leadership role while still keeping the option to trade him later in the season.

Bottom Line

The Sporting News article on the Steelers‑Bills‑Commanders trade rumor has taken off thanks to the new information provided by Fox Sports. The key addition of veteran defensive end Chris Johnson gives Pittsburgh the leverage it needs to pursue a high‑value trade for a player like Jordan Battle. While the trade is still in the realm of speculation, the teams’ roster needs, salary‑cap considerations, and the willingness to trade high‑profile players make this a viable scenario.

If the Steelers, Bills, and Commanders can agree on the terms, the 2024 season could see a reshaped defensive front for Pittsburgh, a more competitive roster for Washington, and a refreshed roster strategy for Buffalo. For now, the NFL fanbase will be watching closely as the rumor matures into a possible reality, and Sporting News will continue to track every development.