Kansas City Chiefs–Pittsburgh Steelers Trade History

Kansas City acquired Barry Pearson and received three seasons of useful receiving production. Pearson played 36 Chiefs games from 1974 through 1976, started 18, and across 1974 and 1975 totaled 63 catches, 995 yards, and four touchdowns. For the cost of an eighth-round pick, that level of direct offensive service represents a strong return and clearly drives the verdict.

Kansas City Chiefs received Tom Keating in the exchange with Pittsburgh Steelers. Tom Keating immediately gave Kansas City substantial defensive-line playing time across the next two seasons. Against the other side's return of 1975 15th round pick (#371-Jim Thatcher), that outcome supports a B grade. The transaction is ultimately judged as Kansas City Chiefs Win, with the grade reflecting realized football value rather than the name or nominal value of the asset on the trade date.

Kansas City Chiefs received Tommy Reamon in the exchange with Pittsburgh Steelers. Tommy Reamon gave Kansas City useful but short-lived production after the trade. Against the other side's return of 1977 fifth round pick (#121-Cliff Stoudt), that outcome supports a C+ grade. The transaction is ultimately judged as Pittsburgh Steelers Win, with the grade reflecting realized football value rather than the name or nominal value of the asset on the trade date.

Kansas City sent quarterback Todd Blackledge to Pittsburgh for the 96th pick in the 1988 draft, ending a disappointing tenure for the former No. 7 overall selection. The Chiefs used the pick on J.R. Ambrose, who did not become a significant NFL player, but they still recovered draft capital for a quarterback whose starting opportunity had largely disappeared. That gives Kansas City only a narrow edge.

Kansas City Chiefs received 1996 7th round pick (211th overall, Ben Lynch) from Pittsburgh Steelers. Kansas City received the 1996 seventh-round choice later used on Ben Lynch. That selection did not create a comparable regular-season return for the Chiefs. That outcome supports a D grade for Kansas City Chiefs. The final verdict is Pittsburgh Steelers Win, based on the football value the club actually realized from the assets it controlled after the exchange.

Kansas City acquired Brentson Buckner from Pittsburgh for a 1997 seventh-round choice, but the move produced no regular-season value for the Chiefs. Buckner was released on August 24 and claimed by Cincinnati on August 25, where he played 14 games that season. The Chiefs surrendered draft capital for a player they did not carry into the season.

Pittsburgh moved from No. 27 to No. 16 in the 2003 draft to select Troy Polamalu, surrendering its first-, third- and sixth-round picks to Kansas City. Polamalu became a Hall of Fame safety, Defensive Player of the Year and central figure on two Super Bowl champions. Trading multiple selections for one player carries obvious risk, but Pittsburgh identified a generational fit and received far more value than the price suggests.

Kansas City Chiefs received Melvin Ingram from Pittsburgh Steelers. Kansas City received Melvin Ingram and used him as a veteran pass rusher during a playoff run. The Chiefs gained useful short-term help at a position of need. That outcome supports a C+ grade for Kansas City Chiefs. The final verdict is Pittsburgh Steelers Win, based on the football value the club actually realized from the assets it controlled after the exchange.

Kansas City moved from No. 164 to No. 156 in the 2025 fifth round and selected linebacker Jeffrey Bassa, giving Pittsburgh No. 164 and No. 226. Bassa played all 17 games as a rookie and recorded 15 combined tackles with a forced fumble. That is a useful first season, but Pittsburgh received two contributors and more defensive production from Yahya Black, so the early returns favor the Steelers.

Pittsburgh sent Kansas City picks No. 161 and No. 249 in the 2026 draft and received No. 169 plus No. 210. The Steelers used those incoming selections on Riley Nowakowski and Gabriel Rubio. Pittsburgh moved down eight spots in the fifth round to add a sixth-round choice, a reasonable two-for-two reshaping of late capital. With no regular-season results yet, the prior Steelers-win label is too early and an Even Trade fits better.