The NFL season is a high-paced, grueling gauntlet. When the schedule offers a break, players and coaches know to use that time wisely. The Pittsburgh Steelers plan to do just that.
Their 24-21 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland, was the perfect way to enter a well-deserved Week 5 bye. It wasn’t the cleanest game, but it was the kind of victory that builds character and momentum. Now, without a game until October 12th — a divisional showdown against the Cleveland Browns — Pittsburgh has an opportunity to recharge, refocus, and, hopefully, reinforce.
Let’s be honest: the Steelers need it.
The team is banged up across multiple key positions. Running back Jaylen Warren (knee), cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring), and linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) have all missed practice time or games. Now, wide receiver Calvin Austin III (shoulder) has joined the injury report — a blow to an already thin group of playmakers.
It’s not panic time, but it’s definitely phone call time for General Manager Omar Khan.
Pittsburgh spent the offseason reshaping its offense under coordinator Arthur Smith, and the results are promising but incomplete. The acquisitions of DK Metcalf and Jonnu Smith gave this team a new dimension — Metcalf’s physicality and Smith’s reliability have been crucial in keeping the offense afloat.
Metcalf currently leads the team with 261 receiving yards, while Jonnu Smith’s 14 receptions place him second in targets. After that, the production falls off sharply. Yes, there are occasional sparks — a Pat Freiermuth catch here, a Jaylen Warren checkdown there — but the lack of consistent firepower beyond those top two options is concerning.
If the Steelers truly want to make a postseason push, now is the time to act.
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I firmly believe this bye week shouldn’t just be about resting bodies — it should be about reloading the roster. Injuries have already tested Pittsburgh’s depth, and with a difficult AFC North slate ahead, the Steelers can’t afford to enter the second stretch of the season with limited offensive versatility.
So who should Omar Khan call?
The dream target, of course, would have been Tyreek Hill. The All-Pro receiver’s speed and football IQ make him a nightmare for defenses, and pairing him with Metcalf would give Pittsburgh one of the most explosive duos in the league. However, his high salary and recent frustrations in Miami and a dislocated knee injury make that an impossible deal to pull off.
With Hill proving to be an impossible catch, the most intriguing option is Chris Olave of the New Orleans Saints.
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Despite being surrounded by uncertainty in New Orleans, Olave continues to shine. His 26 receptions for 185 yards this season show that he’s a reliable route-runner with a strong work ethic and plenty of untapped potential. In a stable, disciplined system like Mike Tomlin’s, Olave could easily blossom into a star.
Either way, the message is clear: the Steelers can’t waste this opportunity.
The Week 5 bye week is the perfect time to rest, regroup, and retool. With Aaron Rodgers’ leadership and Arthur Smith’s improving offensive design, this team has the foundation of a legitimate contender — but they’re missing one more offensive spark.
If Omar Khan can find that missing piece, Pittsburgh’s second half of the season could be something special.
Because for the Steelers, “standard is the standard.” And the standard doesn’t rest — even on a bye week.