The Pittsburgh Steelers went into the 2026 NFL trade deadline looking for wide receiver help, and they did try to make something happen. It just never got over the line.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Pittsburgh was in talks with the Tennessee Titans about 31-year-old receiver Calvin Ridley. Graziano wrote, "The Steelers were in the market for wide receiver help, and I was told they were in discussions with Tennessee about Calvin Ridley," Graziano writes.
The Steelers didn’t come away with a new pass catcher, even though the need had been reported well before deadline day. Around the league, only two receivers moved: Josh Downs to the Kansas City Chiefs and Keenan Allen to the San Francisco 49ers.
That left Pittsburgh empty-handed, but not inactive. The team did make a push for Ridley, and the price likely wouldn’t have been steep.
Ridley has not been close to the player he once was, and this season he has only six catches for 91 yards. If the Steelers had landed him, it probably would have taken little more than a seventh-round pick.
Still, Pittsburgh may not have viewed receiver as a glaring emergency. DK Metcalf sits atop the depth chart, rookie Germie Bernard has given them a promising No. 2 option, and Michael Pittman and Roman Wilson are expected back at some point this season.
There’s also the way the offense is built. The Steelers lean on their running backs, and the tight ends play a heavy role in the passing game. With that setup, Pittsburgh didn’t need to go all-in for another wideout.
In the end, the Titans held onto Ridley while they continue trying to give QB Cam Ward as much talent as possible to evaluate him, and the Steelers couldn’t get the deal finished.
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