Steelers fans, brace yourselves! Could Pittsburgh be on the verge of making a blockbuster move? According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Steelers are expected to actively explore upgrading their roster before the NFL's trade deadline on November 4th. This news comes as the rest of the AFC North has already been busy wheeling and dealing, leaving the Steelers as the only team in the division yet to make a trade. But here's where it gets interesting... will General Manager Omar Khan pull the trigger on a deal that could propel the Steelers into serious Super Bowl contention?
In a comprehensive trade preview column on ESPN, Schefter dropped this intriguing tidbit, stating that the Steelers are "expected to explore upgrading their roster in the weeks ahead of the deadline." This suggests that Khan and the Steelers' front office are actively evaluating potential acquisitions to bolster their team for a playoff push.
Schefter pointed out the flurry of trades within the AFC North. The Cleveland Browns, seemingly in constant roster turnover, made two deals, shipping quarterback Joe Flacco to the Cincinnati Bengals and cornerback Greg Newsome to the Jacksonville Jaguars, receiving veteran cornerback Tyson Campbell in return. The Bengals, desperate for quarterback help, landed Flacco. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens engaged in a defensive swap, sending edge rusher Odafe Oweh to the Los Angeles Chargers for safety Alohi Gilman. These moves highlight the aggressive nature of the AFC North and the pressure on the Steelers to keep pace.
It's worth remembering the Steelers' last significant trade, a late-June blockbuster that sent safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for cornerback Jalen Ramsey, tight end Jonnu Smith, and late-round 2027 draft picks. So far, the trade has seemed to benefit the Steelers. Ramsey has made an immediate impact, solidifying the secondary, and while Smith's catches have been primarily short gains, he still ranks second on the team in receptions and has found the end zone once. On the other hand, Fitzpatrick is on a Dolphins team that is struggling, with their head coach potentially on the hot seat, though he did manage an interception in Week 5.
Schefter doesn't specify which position the Steelers might target, but wide receiver immediately jumps to mind. The Steelers' receiving corps lacks depth and consistent production behind DK Metcalf. The recent injury to Calvin Austin III, likely sidelining him for multiple games, only exacerbates this need. The Steelers' decision to sign Ke'Shawn Williams to the 53-man roster, primarily to handle punt return duties in Austin's absence, underscores the team's concern about their receiver situation. And this is the part most people miss... a consistent receiving threat can open up the entire offense, making the running game more effective and taking pressure off the quarterback.
Names like Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed from the struggling New Orleans Saints (1-4) have surfaced as potential trade targets. The Saints, likely to be sellers at the deadline, could be willing to part with valuable assets. Other receivers mentioned in Schefter's article include Jakobi Meyers of the Las Vegas Raiders and Allen Lazard of the New York Jets. Lazard's connection with quarterback Aaron Rodgers from their time together in Green Bay could make him an intriguing option. Tyler Lockett of the Tennessee Titans and Brandin Cooks, also of the New Orleans Saints, have also been mentioned as possibilities.
But could the Steelers look at other positions? Offensive line depth is always a concern, and the Steelers are relatively thin in that area. While guard Spencer Anderson has impressed as a tackle-eligible player, adding experienced offensive line help is notoriously difficult mid-season. Any injuries sustained between now and the trade deadline could also significantly alter the Steelers' priorities.
Though General Manager Omar Khan has publicly stated his preference to retain the Steelers' 2026 draft picks, the desire to win now could outweigh that long-term consideration. Khan might be willing to part with 2027 draft capital for a player who can immediately contribute. Another possibility is a 2026 pick swap combined with 2027 selections. But here's where it gets controversial... some analysts argue that sacrificing future draft picks for a short-term boost is a risky strategy that can cripple a team's long-term success.
Interestingly, thanks to a 2024 Steelers' proposal, the NFL trade deadline was moved back a week to after Week 9. This places the deadline just two days after the Steelers face the Indianapolis Colts, making for a crucial 48-hour period in determining the team's course of action.
So, Steelers Nation, what do you think? Should the Steelers make a move to upgrade their roster before the deadline? Which position should they target, and which players would you like to see in the black and gold? Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below! Do you agree with trading future assets for immediate help, or should the Steelers prioritize building for the long term? What's the right balance?
