The trade deadline for the NFL this season is October 31. We are only weeks away from that deadline passing and clubs trying to figure out deals before that. The Steelers will be working the phones in hopes of trying to better their roster. It will be a big adjustment to their logic based on the outcomes of the games in the weeks to come.
If Pittsburgh cannot get things together and continue their losing ways over the next several games leading up to the trade deadline, their mindset might be different. Omar Khan might try to look at different assets that he could get by trading away players rather than adding to the team. It will be up to Mike Tomlin and company to right the ship to potentially add some talent to this roster to make the playoffs this year.
Steelers remain connected to defensive star Chase Young
It has been rumored for months that the black and gold have interest in Chase Young. Tomlin likes this player and Young brings a lot of star abilities with him. He is the former second overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft. He has been hindered by injuries throughout his professional career, but he is a game wrecker when he is able to stay on the field.
The Steelers would need to look into contract extension options after the year with Young if they decided to make a deal. The defensive line is struggling right now, and they need all the help that they can get. The speculation is that Washington would want a third-round pick or more in return for Young, that is if the Commanders were willing to deal him with their early season success.
Pittsburgh could add a reliable slot receiver before the trade deadline
One issue that Pittsburgh is having right now is dealing with the loss of Diontae Johnson. None of the receivers are making separation on offense right now. They are only a small part of the issue, but they have not helped the cause on this toxic offensive attack. Again, adding anyone via trade would need to make sense for the Steelers if they are in contention for the playoffs by the end of October.
Johnson should be back around the bye week, so it seems like outside receiver might not be the biggest need unless Johnson is ruled out longer. Slot receiver has not been the best right now with Allen Robinson II. Finding a stronger option to fill the slot role naturally could be the best outcome for the Steelers offense for the remainder of the season.
Hunter Renfrow of the Las Vegas Raiders could make a ton of sense and it shouldn't cost too much for him. He has been silent since the start of this season and had an underwhelming year prior to that. Maybe his NFL days are coming to a close, but he could still be an effective slot receiver. Maybe a change of scenery will do him some good.
Josh McDaniels seems to be the issue here for Renfrow in Las Vegas. His role has significantly diminished on offense ever since McDaniels took over as Head Coach of the Raiders. A trade for Renfrow should not cost more than an exchange for a late round pick or two in the upcoming drafts. Could be a great buy low addition that pays dividends.
Adding an upgrade at strong safety should be a priority for this team
Most people knew that the Steelers offense would be terrible again this year. Since changes were refused, you cannot expect anything to magically change with little alterations made on the schematic part on offense. The real shocker has been with this club has been their lack of quality play on the defensive side of the ball.
Other than a couple of splash plays to make a difference in a couple of games, there has been little to like about this unit. Their cornerbacks might be the worst duo in the NFL, and the secondary looks confused every snap they're out there. Nothing seems to be changing, but there could be a few trade options for the Steelers to pursue.
Maybe a cornerback like Patrick Surtain II would be of interest, but he will cost an arm and a leg to acquire. A more affordable player might be veteran safety Kareem Jackson from the Denver Broncos. The club in the mountains of Denver is still a mess this year and they need all the assets they can get coming their way.
Jackson could be a nice veteran presence to settle things in Pittsburgh's secondary for the remainder of this year. He is a former cornerback who has successfully made the transition over the strong safety. He is a smart player who should be able to get things going for this defense to close out the season in a more stable function.
Perhaps a big trade on offense is something the Steelers need right now
It seems unlikely right now, but maybe what the Steelers need more than anything is a big trade to jolt this team. They could go big game hunting and hope for an effect on the club similar to what happened when they traded for Minkah Fitzpatrick back in 2019. It would be a gamble to add a big player and give away a big asset right now.
The upcoming weeks for the Steelers are going to be huge in terms of how they judge their positioning for a potential playoff race. If they do well enough to warrant a chance to get better via trade before the deadline passes, then maybe adding a big name would make sense. Adding someone to the offensive side of the ball could be the best option.
Trading for Jonathan Taylor has been rumored over the past several weeks for Pittsburgh. it would take a mixture of probably Najee Harris and a pick or two. One would have to imagine that the Colts would like a haul back for the star running back, but he has slowly declined his value over the past couple of months from not training with the team as he holds out for a contract extension.
It would be a gamble to trade for someone who demands an extension, but the star player might help the running game get better. The Steelers need something new to this offense to try and form an identity. They have nothing right now and are missing that star player. Maybe they are missing Taylor from this offense, but they are missing someone with the star caliber of him.