Photo: steelers.com
The NFL trade deadline is here, and the Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in an interesting position. At 6-2, winners of four straight games and sitting atop the AFC North, Pittsburgh has plenty of reasons to feel good about where things stand. However, there’s still one position that could use some attention before the second half of the season gets underway.
Wide receiver has been a concern for the Steelers throughout the year, and injuries have only complicated matters. Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson remain on injured reserve, and DK Metcalf hasn’t been nearly as involved in the offense as many expected.
That raises an obvious question as Tuesday’s trade deadline approaches: Do the Steelers really need to acquire another wide receiver, or can they get by with what they already have?
Before discussing potential additions, the Steelers have to figure out how to get more production out of their biggest receiving threat. Metcalf was supposed to be a centerpiece of Pittsburgh’s passing attack, but his opportunities have been limited in recent weeks.
Metcalf has caught just three passes over the Steelers’ last two games, something head coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged during Monday’s press conference.
Rather than pointing toward the receiver himself, McCarthy suggested the coaching staff needs to examine how it’s putting Metcalf in position to succeed. Offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio echoed those sentiments, explaining that Pittsburgh used the bye week to evaluate its passing concepts and identify ways to create additional opportunities for Metcalf.
That’s an important distinction because acquiring another receiver doesn’t necessarily solve the problem if the Steelers aren’t consistently getting the football to the playmakers they already have. Metcalf has the size, speed and physical ability to change games, but Pittsburgh has to make him a more consistent part of its offense.
One factor that could influence Pittsburgh’s approach to the trade deadline is the potential return of several injured players. McCarthy indicated Monday that Pittman is getting closer to returning, although he stopped short of offering a timetable for his availability against Cincinnati.
That’s encouraging news for a Steelers offense that hasn’t had its full complement of receivers available in recent weeks. Pittman’s physical presence and ability to work underneath could provide another reliable option for Aaron Rodgers, while potentially taking some attention away from Metcalf.
Considering Pittman was already an early season trade acquisition, signing a lucrative extension upon his arrival in Pittsburgh, may indicate that GM Omar Khan won’t be making any further “big” deals at the position.
Also, Roman Wilson is another player the Steelers hope to get back, although he isn’t eligible to return for this weekend’s game against the Bengals. His eventual return would provide additional depth and another option in the passing game.
Of course, there’s a difference between expecting players to return and knowing they’ll be healthy enough to contribute. Pittsburgh can’t afford to assume its injury problems are behind it, particularly with several difficult matchups still remaining on the schedule.
One reason the Steelers might feel comfortable standing pat at receiver is the emergence of Darnell Washington as a legitimate receiving threat. The massive tight end has become increasingly involved in Pittsburgh’s offense, providing Rodgers with a difficult matchup for opposing defenses.
Washington led the Steelers in receiving during their most recent game against Cleveland, and Angelichio spoke highly of the trust that has developed between the tight end and his quarterback.
At 6-foot-7, Washington presents problems that most defensive backs simply aren’t equipped to handle. His size makes him an attractive target in contested situations, while his strength allows him to create additional yardage after the catch.
However, Washington’s value extends well beyond catching passes. He’s also one of Pittsburgh’s most important blockers, capable of handling defensive ends and helping create running lanes. That versatility allows the Steelers to use heavier personnel packages without necessarily sacrificing opportunities in the passing game.
With Pat Freiermuth also available at tight end, Pittsburgh has options to create mismatches without relying exclusively on traditional wide receivers. The question is whether those options can consistently produce enough offense against better competition.
Perhaps the strongest argument against making a trade is that the Steelers have already demonstrated they can win without relying on a high-volume passing attack.
During their four-game winning streak, Pittsburgh has made noticeable improvements along the line of scrimmage. The running game has become more effective, the offensive line is playing with greater consistency, and the defense has been creating opportunities through turnovers and improved pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
McCarthy specifically highlighted those improvements Monday, noting that the Steelers are playing better complementary football than they were during the opening month of the season.
That approach has helped Pittsburgh control games without needing Rodgers to throw the football all over the field. Jaylen Warren and the running backs have benefited from improved blocking, while the defense has done its part to limit opponents and create favorable situations for the offense.
Still, there’s a potential problem with relying too heavily on that formula. The Steelers aren’t going to face favorable circumstances every week, and there will inevitably be games where they’re forced to throw the football more often. Sunday’s matchup with Joe Burrow and the Bengals could provide exactly that kind of challenge.
There’s also the practical side of making a trade this late in the season. Any receiver Pittsburgh acquires would have to learn a new offense, develop chemistry with Rodgers and establish a role within a group that’s already working through its own adjustments.
That doesn’t mean the Steelers should ignore an opportunity to improve their roster. Adding an experienced receiver could provide valuable insurance against further injuries and potentially give the offense another dimension heading into December and January.
Developing rookie WR Germie Bernard is another factor to weigh into the matter, as adding another receiver will take away from his snap counts, while the other players potentially returning from IR would all but bury the first-year player on the depth chart.
That makes trading for another receiver difficult, especially with Pittsburgh’s recent success suggesting that the answer might not be as simple as adding another name to the roster. The Steelers have spent the last several weeks developing an offensive identity built around physicality, improved execution and spreading the football to different playmakers.
Disrupting that progress for a player who might not make an immediate impact carries its own risks, particularly if the asking price is significant.
Ultimately, the Steelers have enough talent to continue winning football games without making another move at wide receiver. Their record reflects that, and the potential returns of Pittman and Wilson could provide a boost without Pittsburgh having to surrender any draft capital.
But having enough talent to win in November isn’t necessarily the same as having enough to make a deep postseason run. Injuries can change the outlook quickly, and Pittsburgh has already experienced how thin its receiving corps can become when multiple players are unavailable.
The Steelers don’t necessarily need to make a trade simply for the sake of making one. They do, however, need to find ways to get Metcalf more involved while continuing to develop the other receiving options already on the roster.
Whether general manager Omar Khan makes a move before Tuesday’s deadline or decides to stand pat, Pittsburgh’s offense still has room to grow. And with the Bengals, Eagles and Broncos waiting on the other side of the bye, the Steelers won’t have to wait long to find out whether their current group is good enough.
