The Pittsburgh Steelers have reached desperation mode early in the 2024 season. Mike Tomlin's team is averaging a dismal 18.4 points per game entering Week 6. Unfortunately, their inability to put points on the board spells a death sentence every time an opposing team can score 20 points on their defense.
Throughout the 2024 offseason, general manager Omar Khan has been doing everything in his power to find the Steelers a receiving threat who can help this offense. Entering Week 6, Pittsburgh's WR problem is even worse than fans thought it would be.
The collection of Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, and Scotty Miller have been anything but needle-movers for this team. To make matters worse, George Pickens has shown he's unable to keep his emotions in check, and the young receiver is under fire for getting his snaps reduced in Week 5 and giving up on his team.
Perhaps there's a solution the Steelers could explore before the deadline.
The latest report from The Athletic Staff suggests that the Steelers are one of four teams still in the running to land three-time All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams. But doing so won't come cheap. The Raiders have been seeking a second-round pick in return (which will be hard to come by, considering Adams' lofty salary in 2025 and 2026).
However, Dan Graziano of ESPN came up with a possible fix for both teams. He suggests a trade between the Raiders and Steelers that would swap Adams for George Pickens. Graziano thinks this is a move Pittsburgh should explore.
"Their top receiver is George Pickens, whose reduced snap count in Sunday night's loss is an indication he doesn't have the full trust of the coaching staff, and they're ultra-thin behind him," Graziano wrote. "Adams would immediately slot in as their No. 1 wide receiver, and they'll do what they can to find out if they can get him. A couple of people -- not people connected with the Steelers, just outside observers -- suggested the idea of a Pickens-for-Adams trade, and you have to admit it's interesting."
Steelers should propose a Pickens-Adams trade to Raiders
This is a trade all Steelers fans should be on board with at this point. While we had high hopes for Pickens, the 23-year-old receiver continues to show bouts of immaturity. Meanwhile, his frustratingly poor effort cost Pittsburgh a shot to defeat the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.
Meanwhile, Adams has already made it clear he wants out of Las Vegas, and the Raiders are determined to trade him. Instead of setting for a third-round pick and a future Day 3 draft pick, they could take an uber-talented receiver who could help them salvage their season. Perhaps their coaching staff would have better luck with him (probably not though).
Pickens will be entering a contract year after the 2024 season, and there's no chance the Steelers should feel comfortable throwing $30 million per season his way. He's given up on this team too many times, and Pittsburgh should gladly swap him for the older, more expensive Davante Adams in a trade.