As the Pittsburgh Steelers get ready for their preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers, they are also working the phones and doing their due diligence in the trade market.
Per Zachary Smith of Steelers Now and the Smitten With Sports Substack, the Steelers have been in contact with the Packers in regard to a potential trade for cornerback Carrington Valentine. This comes after a slew of injuries in training camp, including both Jalen Ramsey and Joey Porter both being on the PUP list from the start
of camp. Brandin Echols was also banged up in practice last week.
Valentine was drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Packers out of Kentucky and he earned playing time right away. In three years with Green Bay, he’s appeared in 49 games and picked off two passes.
In addition to Valentine, I’m told Pittsburgh is also interested in Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao. Pola-Mao is the nephew of Steelers legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu, and has been a constant presence in the Raiders’ secondary.
Pola-Mao has appeared in at least 16 games in each of the last three seasons, not missing a game in 2024 or 2025. He has three interceptions in his four year career.
Considering the Steelers’ lack depth at safety, as well as Pola-Mao’s previous history with defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and his family roots, the interest from Pittsburgh isn’t much of a surprise and is something to monitor.
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