Steelers rumored last-minute trade options couldn't be more underwhelming

If you're looking for the Pittsburgh Steelers to land a wide receiver who could move the needle for this franchise in the waning hours of the NFL trade deadline, don't hold your breath. Omar Khan diligently pursued players like Brandon Aiyuk and Davante Adams but was never able to execute a deal.

Now as the minutes tick down until the deadline, the options are few and far between. While Giants WR Darius Slayton is the obvious choice, New York may not be willing to budge. This leaves the Steelers with nothing more than scraps to choose from at the deadline.

On November 5, NFL Insider Jason La Canfora joined 93.7 The Fan and was asked if he believed Pittsburgh would make a trade for a wide receiver before the deadline.

"I think so," La Canfora said regarding whether a Steelers trade would get done. "Adam Thielen, I guess it just depends on how much you want to add a body. I know Mike Williams, there's some interest there. And that might be the best you can do."

Talk about a short list of underwhelming options.

Steelers are out of luck in a WR trade at the deadline

If it were 2019 again, Steelers fans would be thrilled that Thielen and Williams are realistic options to land before the deadline. But fast forward five years and both aging veterans are a shade of what they once were.

After a 1,000-yard season in 2023 with the Panthers (essentially by default), Thielen suited up for just three games so far this season as he has dealt with injuries. The 34-year-old receiver has just eight receptions for 109 yards on the season.

Meanwhile, Mike Williams has been even less impressive. Coming off an ACL tear with the Chargers in 2023, Williams has suited up for all 9 games with the Jets through the halfway point of the season but has turned 21 targets into a mere 12 receptions for 166 yards.

At this stage in their careers, neither Thielen nor Williams would move the needle for a football team in need of a true WR2. At best, they would add a bit more consistency to the position while sacrificing the speed and explosive play ability of Calvin Austin, who will no doubt see a smaller role on the offense if Pittsburgh makes a trade for a receiver.

I was all for a wide receiver trade just as much as the next Steelers fan, but unless Pittsburgh could pull off a deal for a player like Darius Slayton or Raiders' Jakobi Meyers, they are better off letting the sun set on the deadline than giving up draft capital for aging players with nothing left to offer.