For five days now, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been amongst teams involved in some serious trade rumors.
Color us unsurprised, but this is right on par with where the team is, currently. Even before this season began, the Steelers were in the late stages of getting a trade done for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. This team wants to add a wideout; we know that much to be true.
For the last few days, though, the Steelers have been connected to Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams, who requested a trade on Tuesday of this past week. The trade request came after a series of rumors snowballed into his head coach Antonio Pierce getting a little too active on social media, you could say.
For a couple of days, reports had fans swaying back and forth, wondering whether or not the Steelers actually had a chance at landing Adams out of Las Vegas.
Well, during the Raiders' Week 5 contest against the Denver Broncos -- a game in which Adams was not playing, surprise, surprise -- a report came out in regards to the Steelers indeed being in on trading for the star wide receiver.
The Steelers have inquired with the Raiders about WR Davante Adams, per sources. But there are many questions to be resolved, chief among them -- does he want to come here and be willing to re-do his massive contract. Adams said to prefer Jets and Saints b/c of his former QBs.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) October 6, 2024
Okay, then. This is, at least, a start.
Steelers fans should be elated with this news. The organization is going out and trying to make a big-time move. However, Adams' contract is an issue; not even the biggest issue, at hand, as a matter of fact.
Adams clearly wants to play for the Jets or Saints, both of whom house a former quarterback of Adams'. The Steelers would have to sell Adams on playing in Pittsburgh, but they'd also have to figure out how to restructure that contract which is set to count over $36 million against the cap each of the next two seasons.
What wide receivers could the Steelers target if not Davante Adams?
Now, if all of the questions are unable to be resolved, the Steelers do have other options. We've already discussed the fact that they have been connected to players like DeAndre Hopkins or Calvin Ridley via some well-respected NFL insiders. Other names they've been linked to include Cleveland Browns wideout Amari Cooper.
It seems a little far fetched that the Steelers would be able to land a star wide receiver within the division, but the Browns are reeling, and I wouldn't put anything past that front office with the way they've dug themselves such a deep hole with the Deshaun Watson contract.
Hopkins or Ridley would also be strong options for the Steelers to consider. Hopkins would give them that veteran leader who has all the experience in the world, but isn't quite at the level Adams is still playing.