The Pittsburgh Steelers are running out of wide receiver trade options before the deadline, and the latest injury to Christian Kirk doesn't help. The 2-6 Jaguars may have been desperate enough to part with a quality starting receiver had Kirk not suffered a season-ending collarbone injury in Week 8.
Along with missing out on the possibility of Kirk, you can scratch off Cooper Kupp as an option after the Rams upset the Vikings on Thursday Night Football. Suddenly, Los Angeles found new life as they are just a game back from the Cardinals, 49ers, and Seahawks in the NFC West.
But the Steelers aren't the only ones feeling like they botched opportunities before the NFL trade deadline.
If anyone should have remorse before the deadline, it's Davante Adams. The three-time All-Pro receiver was a legitimate option for the Steelers before being traded to the Jets before Week 7. Adams made it clear that New York was his preferred landing spot as he wanted to reunite with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
This already looks like a colossal mistake.
Davante Adams should have chosen the Steelers
Because of his reputation, Adams had a say in where he was traded... and he chose wrong. While we don't know exactly what the Steelers offered the Raiders for their top wide receiver, we can assume it was close to the package (if not the same package) the Jets offered for Adams.
Since joining the Jets, Adams has lost two straight games and his new team has a dismal 2-6 record on the season. After Week 8, this is dead last in the AFC East and their chances of making the playoffs are slim to none (they essentially need to be perfect from here on out to crack the postseason).
To make matters worse, Adams is averaging just 3.5 receptions and 42 yards per game on his new team. Aaron Rodgers has a 64.3 passer rating when throwing in Adams' direction after two games.
On the other hand, the Pittsburgh Steelers are flying high atop the AFC North. Even with their injuries this season, Mike Tomlin's team has found a way to pound the football effectively and play great defense.
Adams could have been a shining star and go-to target for Russell Wilson on a playoff contender for the rest of the 2024 season (and possibly beyond). Instead, his preferred destination is a dumpster-fire organization that recently fired its head coach and has a quarterback who is only a shade of his former self.
Davante Adams had a chance to play his final few NFL seasons with a good franchise and end his outstanding career on a high note. Instead, the former All-Pro is destined to be an afterthought on an unserious football team that nobody cares to watch.