5 questions we have for Steelers after the trade deadline

It was only a couple of years ago when the Steelers were known as the "boring" franchise who spent little in free agency and rarely made dynamic trades. Things have changed since Omar Khan took over for Kevin Colbert while assembling Pittsburgh's favorite football team. This trade deadline was no different as Khan might not have gotten the level of players he wanted, but he sent the right message.

Despite showing his belief in the black and gold by pulling off two trades just hours before the deadline passed, the Steelers still have weaknesses on their roster. Some of those weaknesses will create questions for the black and gold along the way, some existed before the trades, and some resulted from them. Pittsburgh will have to answer these questions in a positive light to compete.

Will Mike Williams turn back to his pre-Jets form?

Sometimes even when the Steelers make a move, fans cannot find the joy in it. Pittsburgh at least tried to acquire an upgrade at the receiver position, but it is unknown if Mike Williams will be the type of upgrade the team has been searching for. Time will tell if he can return to the type of star form that he played with during his time with the Chargers. He at least has a better chance to produce than others on the team.

READ MORE: Steelers shock everyone and pull off another trade

Can Preston Smith get past this season with the Steelers?

Most thought the Steelers would land a receiver, but the Preston Smith trade came out of nowhere. He is a solid veteran to fill out the fourth spot at outside linebacker on the depth chart. He is starting to show signs of decline in his game, but as Pittsburgh's fourth option, not much could go wrong. Smith has a big contract to deal with after the season, so he could be let go if he doesn't show much.

Will Calvin Austin III or Van Jefferson be more affected by these trades?

With the addition of Williams, he will take away snaps from different receivers who have been on the roster since Week 1. The Steelers could bring their trade acquisition along slowly, but he is a contested catch guy who could help Russell Wilson and the passing game. It seems like Van Jefferson will lose more snaps than Calvin Austin III, but it is possible both share that burden.

Could adding Smith allow Pittsburgh to move T.J. Watt around?

Now that the black and gold have four solid edge rushers on the team, it could potentially open up things on defense. Maybe the Steelers can find ways of having all three of T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig on the field at the same time. It has been floated around about having Watt move around on defense, and adding Smith could allow that flexibility to flourish.

Did the Steelers do enough to improve at the trade deadline?

You will only find out the answer to this question as the season pushes along. If the Steelers can get Williams to turn things around and Smith provides steady depth as a role player, then it seems like the trade deadline will have been a success. No matter how those two perform, everything will seem like a failure this year if Pittsburgh cannot find a way to make some noise in the playoffs.