Despite having several projected picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers refused to pay what they considered high prices before the NFL's trade deadline on November 4. Instead, they acquired Kyle Dugger the week leading up to the deadline and decided to roll with the current players on their roster.
There were countless trade rumors surrounding General Manager Omar Khan, but he didn't pull the trigger on several opportunities.
It’s easy to call the Steelers’ trade deadline disappointing, but the team seems to have a clear long-term plan in place. They might have some lingering holes on their team, but they hope some question marks on the roster will step up. No further trades led to a boring day for fans, but it might've provided the opportunity that players needed to finally progress their careers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' disappointing trade deadline is just what these players needed
Roman Wilson, WR
No player had a better day during the deadline in Pittsburgh than Roman Wilson. Khan made a strong effort to acquire a receiver upgrade, but nothing came together. The long-awaited savior to help DK Metcalf never came, and now it will be up to Wilson and Calvin Austin III to make plays. Neither has been consistent enough to this point in the season, which led to trade chatter.
Wilson remains the top priority to fix his early career struggles. He is coming off a game where he coughed up the ball during a critical moment in the game against the Colts. The week prior to that, he produced his strongest stat line of his career. Since the Steelers refused to add a receiver via trade, all the pressure will fall on Wilson to step up and show he can be their answer.
READ MORE: Steelers’ boring trade deadline strategy could come back to haunt them
Brandin Echols, CB
You might think Darius Slay is a massive winner during a dull deadline, but he's not the cornerback who benefited the most at the deadline. Slay's age is showing, and it's Brandin Echols who is starting to catch on as a starter for the team. He has shown throughout the season that he is more reliable than Slay. The Steelers’ coaching staff has become confident enough to move Jalen Ramsey to safety, allowing Echols to play on game days.
It appeared unlikely for Khan to land a cornerback via trade, but they would've been wise to consider adding to the position.
Slay looks old and washed up, which could only grow more problematic as the season progresses. Echols has proven he can play solid football, but it remains to be seen if he can sustain that level of performance. Pittsburgh has no choice but to put its faith in him.
Spencer Anderson, OL
It might not be as massive a win on trade deadline day as Wilson or Echols, but Spencer Anderson had a positive outcome. Khan may have avoided exploring the offensive line market, but the Steelers could be facing an underlying issue. Isaac Seumalo has been dealing with a nagging injury in recent weeks, and the hope is that it doesn’t worsen as the season continues.
Right now, Anderson has formed into the "reported eligible" offensive lineman during the offense's jumbo package. He has gained a lot of respect over the past month, and his role could grow if Seumalo misses any games due to injury. Anderson has shown he can step into a starting role when called upon, which is why the Steelers didn't trade for a lineman before the deadline.