Pittsburgh, PA – April 24, 2025. Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan has hinted at a blockbuster trade on the horizon, sources told ESPN Wednesday. With the 2025 NFL Draft approaching, the team is eyeing a dynamic running back to ignite their offense.
Khan recently confirmed the Steelers are scouring the trade market to bolster their roster, signaling a major move to address the void left by Najee Harris’ departure to the Los Angeles Chargers.
We’re exploring options that could shift before or after the draft, Khan said, per Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo.
While Khan remained tight-lipped on targets, the timeline suggests a high-impact acquisition beyond draft picks. FOX Sports’ David Helman points to Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III as a prime candidate for Pittsburgh’s backfield.
Kenneth Walker could be leaving Seattle, with their 10 draft picks reshaping their roster, Helman wrote.
Seattle’s Zach Charbonnet has emerged, and Walker’s rookie deal—$1.6 million cap hit in 2025’s final year—makes him a trade chip. Spotrac projects a four-year, $41 million extension for Walker, a price Pittsburgh could justify for instant impact at a modest trade cost.
Walker’s explosiveness fits our vision, coach Mike Tomlin told reporters.
The Steelers’ rushing attack ranked 19th in 2024, hampered by Harris’ 3.9 yards per carry. Walker’s 1,000-yard rookie season and 573 yards with eight touchdowns in 11 games last year dwarf Jaylen Warren’s 665 yards, offering Pittsburgh a true RB1.
He’d transform our ground game, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said.
Pittsburgh, with Kenneth Gainwell and Warren, seeks a lead back to ease pressure on a new quarterback like Shedeur Sanders. Walker’s 46 catches in 2024 add pass-catching flair for Arthur Smith’s scheme, making this trade a potential game-changer for 2025.
