New York Jets–Pittsburgh Steelers Trade History

New York Jets received Chuck Hinton. Chuck Hinton provided the clearer post-trade NFL contribution for New York, remaining an active defensive lineman after the exchange and giving the Jets useful veteran service. That result supports a B grade for New York Jets. The final verdict is New York Jets Win, based on the documented service, durability, and value each club actually obtained from this exchange.

New York Jets received Roger Bernhardt while Pittsburgh Steelers received Mike Haggard. New York received Roger Bernhardt in the 1973 exchange, but his later 1974 Jets season followed an intervening departure and a separate reacquisition. That later production should not be treated as uninterrupted value created by this original deal. That outcome supports a C- grade for New York Jets in this trade.

Pittsburgh sent running back Steve Davis to the Jets in 1975 for a future third-round choice that became No. 60 overall in the 1977 draft, defensive lineman Tom Beasley. Davis gave New York two productive seasons, including 418 rushing yards in 1976, but Beasley became a long-term Steelers contributor. Pittsburgh’s longer return earns the edge.

Pittsburgh traded three selections to the Jets to move from No. 56 to No. 41 in the 1998 draft, using the higher pick on defensive lineman Jeremy Staat. Staat played only 31 NFL games and started twice. New York used the return on Dorian Boose, Kevin Williams and Eric Bateman. None became a star, but the Jets received more playable depth and three chances for a player who did not justify Pittsburgh’s move-up cost.

Pittsburgh acquired wide receiver Alex Van Dyke from the Jets on March 25, 1999 for a sixth-round choice, No. 183, later used on Marc Megna. Van Dyke gave the Steelers an experienced receiving option, while New York converted a player it was ready to move into late draft capital. Neither return became a long-term difference-maker, but Pittsburgh received the slightly more direct roster value.

Pittsburgh moved down from No. 16 to No. 19, added two later picks, and selected Casey Hampton. Hampton became a five-time Pro Bowler and the anchor of two Super Bowl-winning defenses. The Jets selected Santana Moss, who became a productive receiver and later returned trade value, but Pittsburgh acquired the more important player while adding extra capital.

The Jets acquired Santonio Holmes for the 155th pick and received two productive seasons plus major 2010 playoff contributions. Pittsburgh then flipped that same pick to Arizona for cornerback Bryant McFadden and pick No. 195, which became Antonio Brown. Holmes was a worthwhile bargain for New York, but Brown developed into a four-time first-team All-Pro and one of the era's dominant receivers. The downstream value makes Pittsburgh the long-term winner.

New York sent Avery Williamson and a 2022 seventh-round pick to Pittsburgh for a 2022 fifth-rounder. The Jets later moved that fifth-round selection again, so the return was primarily extra draft flexibility during a rebuilding season rather than a player who directly became part of the roster. Moving a veteran on an expiring deal made sense, but the eventual value was modest.

Pittsburgh acquired Mike Williams from the Jets for a 2025 fifth-round pick, hoping a veteran deep threat could strengthen a playoff-bound offense. Williams caught nine passes for 132 yards and one touchdown in nine regular-season games, then added one 37-yard playoff catch. New York used the pick on linebacker Francisco Mauigoa, who started eight games as a rookie. The continuing rookie-contract value now gives the Jets the stronger return.