It’s no secret the Pittsburgh Steelers would like to upgrade the quarterback position.

After letting Justin Fields, who signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the New York Jets, and Russell Wilson, who signed a one-year, $10.5 million deal with the New York Giants, walk in free agency, the Steelers are running out of options.

But with Aaron Rodgers seemingly keeping Pittsburgh in limbo regarding its situation under center, there’s a very real possibility the team breaks training camp in July with Mason Rudolph as its presumed 2025 starter.

But former Dallas Cowboys defensive end-turned-NFL analyst Chris Canty believes he has the perfect solution, which also addresses another area of concern for the team.

During a recent appearance on ESPN Radio’s “UnsportsmanLike,” Canty suggested the Steelers should offer up star pass-rusher T.J. Watt, who is entering the final season of a four-year, $112 million contract and looking for lucrative new contract, in exchange for Purdy, who is also entering the final year of his rookie contract, in a blockbuster deal he believes the 49ers wouldn’t be able to turn down.

“[The Steelers should use] T.J. Watt as a way to be able to pry Brock Purdy from San Francisco,” Canty stated. “The 49ers gutted at defense, being able to add some help for Fred Warner and Nick Bosa. T.J. Watt in that group. [Robert] Saleh now back there as the defensive coordinator.

“[The 49ers] got the 11th overall pick, so they can presumably draft a quarterback if they don’t have to give up that pick in the trade. I don’t know how the 49ers say no to that.”

Purdy, who’s a 25-year-old Pro Bowler, would be a long-term solution for the Steelers at what’s been a position of need since Ben Roethlisberger retired in 2021.

The 49ers could then use the No. 11 overall pick in the draft 10 days from now on a quarterback, likely either Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders if he falls out of the top 10 or Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, who’s been rocketing up draft boards lately.

Pittsburgh would have to sign him to a contract extension, but some analysts have indicated the team would feel much better about committing $40-plus million per year to a proven quarterback than it would to Watt, who turns 31 a few weeks into the season.

Watt, a seven-time Pro Bowler and the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, hasn’t been shy about wanting his own contract extension.

The former NFL sack leader caused a social media firestorm last week when he posted a photo of him holding up a peace sign on Instagram, which many took as a sign he’s not happy with where negotiations stand with the Steelers.

While the 49ers would still have to pay Watt a lot of money on any new deal he would require, even if he tops out at the $40 million per year Myles Garrett got from the Cleveland Browns, it’s still significantly cheaper than what they’d have to give Purdy, who’s reportedly looking for a salary in the $50M-$55M per year range.