The NFL trade deadline is practically here. After weeks of debate, Pittsburgh Steelers fans will find out if the team intends to make a major move at wide receiver or elsewhere on the roster to improve for the 2026 stretch run.
On Sunday, though, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac essentially told fans not to hold their breath that a major Steelers trade will occur.
“The Steelers are not looking too overspent to acquire a player and instead are interested in building their depth for the remaining nine games,” wrote Dulac on Sunday night. “While it is not known which position they want to address, the likely targets could be in the secondary — either cornerback or safety.
“Wide receiver is another option, although it is likely it will not be what the fan base and social media have in mind.”
What Dulac was referring to was several potential big-named options. The leading Steelers receiver trade candidate for several days has been Indianapolis Colts‘ Josh Downs. But there are potentially several other notable wideouts who will be on the move before the trade deadline.
The league’s deadline is Tuesday at 4 pm ET.
Steelers Won’t Make Major Trade for Wide Receiver?
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday that the Steelers have interest in Downs. But Schefter also appeared to drop a hint that Downs would land with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jacksonville Jaguars‘ Brian Thomas Jr. is another wideout who pundits have linked to the Steelers for months. But while the Jaguars could deal Thomas, it makes little sense for Jacksonville to trade him to another AFC contender.
Pundits have mentioned or connected the Steelers to other receivers such as Chris Godwin, Jerry Jeudy, Calvin Ridley and Keenan Allen at one time or another this season. Dulac, though, suggested with his Sunday update that the Steelers won’t acquire any of them.
That is, unless the price for one of them drops. The Steelers don’t seem against making a major addition. But they want to do it cheaply.
That’s frustrating for a team obviously in win-now mode. But it’s not surprising given the Steelers again want to have as much draft capital as possible.
That will keep a draft day trade up the board for a signal-caller possible.
Steelers May Have Made Their Biggest WR Addition With Marquez Valdes-Scantling
During the Pittsburgh bye week, The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo wrote about how the Steelers were in a similar position last year at receiver. But instead of a major trade, the team was content in allowing Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson to continue developing.
As far as outside additions went, the Steelers settled for Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Then after it became clear Austin and Wilson weren’t enough, the team added Adam Thielen too.
Will the Steelers balk at adding Downs or another wideout before Tuesday as they did with Jakobi Meyers and Rashid Shaheed a year ago? Dulac has said for weeks that they will. He reiterated that again Sunday.
Pundits can make an argument for both sides. The Steelers are a run-first offense. Overpaying for two months of Downs isn’t a wise business decision when it might not yield the results to match the compensation. It could only hurt Pittsburgh’s ability to draft a quarterback next spring.
But a more dynamic passing offense could also be the last piece of the Steelers’ 2026 puzzle. It’s also a puzzle that’s not going to be available for the team after Aaron Rodgers retires in February.
As he has done in the past, Khan could continue to ride the middle, adding a receiver but not for a significant draft pick. The Steelers might also view Valdes-Scantling as their biggest receiver addition for this season.
The veteran hasn’t played in Pittsburgh yet this campaign, but he could play a role over the final two months given the team’s receiver injuries and the chemistry Valdes-Scantling has built with Rodgers in his career.
Steelers Get Final Update on Blockbuster Move at NFL Trade Deadline