The race for a spot in the AFC playoff bracket has already begun, even if the starting horn sounded silently. The truth is, slow starts in the NFL can come back to haunt teams when playoff spots begin to get claimed. The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves floating in decent waters entering Week 8 with a 4-2 record — not bad by any means — but let’s not kid ourselves, the tide could be much clearer.
Yes, Mike Tomlin’s squad has fought through early-season adversity. They’ve found ways to win tight games and stay competitive in a stacked AFC. Still, as promising as that record looks on paper, this team feels incomplete.
In fact, I believe they should be sitting at 5-1 if not for a disastrous defensive lapse that cost them a key divisional win. The Steelers remain in the thick of the postseason hunt, but one gaping issue threatens to hold them back — the hole at the WR2 position.
Let’s call it what it is: the Steelers have put themselves in the worst possible position as the NFL trade deadline approaches. Across from DK Metcalf, there’s no reliable sidekick. And that’s a dangerous problem to have for a team with postseason aspirations.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' front office's neglect is causing an NFL Trade Deadline scramble
Sure, the tight end trio of Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington, and Pat Freiermuth has picked up some slack in the passing game. Freiermuth’s 111-yard, two-touchdown performance last Thursday was a well-deserved breakout moment, and Smith’s versatility as a hybrid tight end has given Arthur Smith’s offense some breathing room. But when your passing attack relies on three tight ends to move the ball, you’re not fooling anyone.
That’s not a sustainable model — it’s a bandage on a bullet wound.
Calvin Austin III is valuable when healthy, but his speed threat is meaningless if he can’t stay on the field. Roman Wilson, the second-year player out of Michigan, has had sporadic flashes but remains inconsistent. And Ben Skowronek, bless his effort, is more of a utility player than a legitimate second receiving option.
That leaves the Steelers in a precarious position — scrambling to identify whether there’s any “life vest” left in the wide receiver market before the storm hits.
The answer depends on what kind of buyer Omar Khan and his front office want to be. They’ve already gone big once this year, pulling the trigger on the blockbuster trade for DK Metcalf. That means any additional move must be both financially responsible and tactically smart.
The Pittsburgh Steelers NFL trade deadline options will come at a price
Enter Jakobi Meyers. The veteran wideout from Las Vegas checks a lot of boxes for what Pittsburgh needs right now: experience, route precision, and clutch dependability. Through six games, Meyers has recorded 29 receptions for 329 yards and has consistently been a reliable red-zone presence.
No, he’s not going to single-handedly change the trajectory of the Steelers’ season, but his steady production and low-risk contract make him a logical trade target.
Meyers’ current deal runs through 2025, but the Raiders could be convinced to eat some of his remaining salary if they’re in sell mode. With 4,921 career receiving yards and 20 touchdowns to his name, Meyers could be exactly the kind of “win-now” piece the Steelers need without mortgaging their future.
If Pittsburgh’s brass prefers a more explosive option, they could turn their eyes to New Orleans Saints speedster Rashid Shaheed. Few players in the league are as dynamic with the ball in their hands. Since entering the league in 2022, Shaheed has produced 12 touchdowns and 1,921 receiving yards while averaging a blistering 15.4 yards per catch — fourth-most among wideouts in that span.
He’s the kind of player who could stretch defenses vertically and give Arthur Smith’s offense a new dimension.
The problem? Shaheed won’t come cheap.
The Pittsburgh Steelers dug their own grave before the 2025 NFL Season began
New Orleans values his versatility as both a receiver and return specialist. Negotiations could get messy fast, especially with the Saints still chasing a playoff berth of their own. The Steelers can’t afford to waste time or draft capital in a bidding war that may not lead to a realistic acquisition.
The sad truth is that Pittsburgh knew this problem was coming. When they shipped George Pickens out of town during the offseason, they effectively bet on Metcalf and a committee of role players to fill the void. That gamble might have looked fine on paper, but seven weeks into the season, it’s clear it hasn’t paid off.
Waiting until the trade deadline to address a glaring roster deficiency is a form of self-sabotage. The Steelers’ defense has been good enough to keep them competitive, and the running game is improving. But if the offense continues to lack balance, they’ll be walking into November with one hand tied behind their back.
The good news? The Steelers still have time to act. The bad news? Every other playoff-contending team does too.
So here we are — days away from the trade deadline with Pittsburgh staring at the mirror, knowing exactly what needs to be done. Whether it’s Jakobi Meyers or Rashid Shaheed, the Steelers need to find their answer at WR2 — fast. Because if Omar Khan and the front office decide to stand pat, the team’s postseason potential could vanish as quickly as it appeared.
The Steelers have built a competitive roster, but even the sturdiest ships can sink without a reliable crew. It’s time for Pittsburgh to find DK Metcalf a proper partner before the tide turns against them.