An ESPN expert recently concocted a major trade in which the Philadelphia Eagles would send a quarterback to the Pittsburgh Steelers — and get a budding defensive star in return.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, appearing on the “NFL Daily” podcast, suggested that the Eagles should trade quarterback Tanner McKee to the Steelers in exchange for edge rusher Nick Herbig.

McKee, the 2023 sixth-round pick, is valued by Howie Roseman and the front office. He showed enough promise in preseason work that Roseman felt comfortable trading Kenny Pickett to the Cleveland Browns ahead of the 2025 season.

But with McKee entering the final year of his rookie deal — and with quarterback-needy teams looking at an underwhelming draft class — it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see him moved.

Some have suggested that the Eagles could get a second or third-round pick in return for McKee. That might be a little rich for a quarterback with only two career starts.

Getting a player like Herbig in return might be a bit of a reach, too. Herbig is coming off a career year in which he had 7 1/2 sacks and three forced fumbles. In three seasons, the former Wisconsin star has 16 sacks and nine forced fumbles.

But Herbig, like McKee, is also entering a contract year. He’s the team’s No. 3 edge rusher with a lot of money committed to T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. And the Steelers, who hold the No. 21 overall pick, might not be in range to take Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.

Hence, the interesting trade proposal from Barnwell.

“If you need a Tanner McKee and you knew someone who obsesses over edge rushing talent, would you not call the Eagles and say, Nick Herbig, Tanner McKee, two guys on rookie deals, you get a cost-controlled player for another year, who had phenomenal pass rushing numbers and we get our quarterback of the future,” Barnwell said.

“Does that not seem like a scratch my back, I scratch yours situation?”

The Eagles do have a relationship with Steelers assistant general manager Andy Weidl, who was one of Roseman’s top assistants before leaving for Pittsburgh.

Maybe they could get something done.