On Tuesday, the San Francisco 49ers traded a sixth-round pick to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a wide receiver. Initially, it sounded like a move the Pittsburgh Steelers should’ve pursued aggressively. That was until fans realized the traded player was 34 years old.
Holes at the wideout position are forcing Omar Khan to remain diligent during the NFL trade deadline. Fans hoped Pittsburgh’s front office would join the action before the 4 p.m. ET deadline, but that didn't happen.
Without Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) and Roman Wilson (hand), Mike McCarthy has relied on DK Metcalf to lead the wide receiver corps. The contributions are appreciated, but they haven’t yielded fruitful results. Entering Week 10, Pittsburgh ranks 29th in completion percentage (60.34%) and 24th in yards per pass (6.5).
Aaron Rodgers has struggled to stretch the field recently. He could use youthful, quick, and motivated wideouts.
Calvin Ridley, Ladd McConkey, and Josh Downs were all rumored targets for Pittsburgh’s trade deadline search. They could become effective WR2 options without forcing Khan to spend heavy draft capital, and they also have enough juice left to contribute.
However, the Steelers decided to stand pat, and passing on Keenan Allen was the right move.
Keenan Allen was not the right WR for the Pittsburgh Steelers at the NFL Trade Deadline
Don’t get me wrong, Keenan Allen is a standout player. Throughout his career, the former third-round pick has amassed 12,402 receiving yards and 71 touchdowns on 1,095 receptions. He’s known for his sure hands, size, and consistency on the gridiron. Those tools are transferable skills younger players can adapt by spending time with the fourteen-year All-Pro.
San Francisco’s developing targets will learn a thing or two while under Allen’s tutelage.
Allen’s 40 receptions prove he can still contribute to an NFL offense. However, his 8.8 yards per reception and just two gains of 20-plus yards suggest his best work comes underneath rather than stretching opposing secondaries. Pittsburgh already struggles generating explosive passing plays. Adding another possession receiver might improve Rodgers’ completion percentage, but it wouldn’t necessarily solve the offense's biggest problem.
Investing in a seasoned veteran is a safe move for NFL front offices. It could also be viewed as a waste of time. Omar Khan’s pursuit of a productive WR2 was sadly squandered at the trade deadline. He wasn't able to bring in a proven veteran option, but this could lead to more opportunity for young players like Germie Bernard and Roman Wilson (when he returns).
Pressure from the NFL trade deadline causes general managers to make questionable decisions. Keenan Allen has a distinguished resume, but he did not belong on the Steelers roster.
Hopefully, Khan’s decision to stand still at the deadline won't come back to haunt him, as the Steelers look to stay competitive the rest of the way with a nearly 43-year-old Aaron Rodgers.
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