NFL Trade Rumors: Pittsburgh Steelers "Making Calls" for Wide Receiver at Trade Deadline

The Pittsburgh Steelers still believe their passing game can be improved. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Steelers have been "checking on any and all available wide receivers" ahead of the NFL's November 5th trade deadline.

The Steelers were in the process of trying to get a deal done for Christian Kirk, and league sources told ESPN there was a reasonable chance that the Jaguars wide receiver was going to wind up in Pittsburgh until he broke his collarbone last Sunday.https://t.co/8YDTPmxThd
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 2, 2024

The Steelers were reportedly close to landing Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk before the speedy wideout suffered a season-ending collar bone injury in Week 8.

Of the remaining available players, New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams could be a good fit. The Los Angeles Chargers took Williams seventh overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, and the elite traits that made him a top pick are still apparent today. He's a big-bodied, down-field threat with a proven ability to win in contested catch situations. His targets in New York have also dwindled since the Jets acquired six-time Pro Bowl pass catcher Davante Adams.

Beyond Williams, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen could also be available. Thielen is a two-time Pro Bowler in the waning years of his career, but he has proven he can be an effective and reliable player with various quarterbacks and in multiple systems. He led all Panthers with a respectable 1014 receiving yards in 2023, and he can still operate in the short area of the field and provide yards after the catch.

Since switching to quarterback Russell Wilson, the Steelers' passing attack has finally shown some life. They've exceeded 400 total yards in consecutive wins while averaging 31.5 points per game. Adding another wide receiver that complements Wilson could be enough to maintain that momentum. Pairing an improved offense with what is already one of the league's elite defenses could make the Steelers a Super Bowl contender this postseason. They're a team to watch at the trade deadline.