With the NFL trade deadline coming fast, Pittsburgh has a chance to patch a glaring hole before it costs them more games. The Steelers have been hit hard at wide receiver, and the latest injuries have only sharpened the need for help. That is why CBS Sports’ Carter Bahns floated Buccaneers wideout Chris Godwin Jr. as a possible target - a move Omar Khan could seriously consider if he wants to keep the roster competitive.
The urgency in Pittsburgh is easy to see. Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) and Roman Wilson (hand) were both placed on injured reserve recently, and both are expected to miss a few weeks.
Ben Skowronek’s (calf) return is also up in the air. That leaves Rodgers with a thin group of options when the offense needs someone to move the chains.
There has been one bright spot: Germie Bernard. The Steelers’ second-round pick has stepped in and made himself useful quickly, ranking third among rookie wideouts in receiving yards with 227 and second in receptions with 24. That kind of production matters, but Pittsburgh has not gotten enough consistent help from the rest of the receiver room.
Last weekend told that story clearly. Aaron Rodgers completed passes to only two wide receivers, and DK Metcalf and Germie Bernard each finished with eleven receptions. Those contributions were enough to help McCarthy’s squad get the win, but the Steelers cannot expect that formula to hold up every week.
Godwin Jr. offers the kind of profile that would make sense for a team in this spot. Since 2017, he has built a reputation for active hands, a diverse route tree, and physical running after the catch.
He has 7,842 receiving yards, 41 touchdowns and a career average of 12.3 yards per reception. He also brings a Super Bowl LV ring and the experience that comes with it.
There is obvious risk, though. Godwin Jr. has missed 18 games since 2024 because of a dislocated ankle and a fibula injury, and that injury history could give teams pause. Still, he has shown signs of life this season with 23 catches for 216 yards.
Tampa Bay’s situation may only increase the chances of a deal. Baker Mayfield’s dislocated right thumb forced the Buccaneers to use Jalon Daniels over the last three games, and the team sits at 1-5 and last in the NFC South. If that slide continues, the front office could start looking hard at trade options.
For Pittsburgh, the appeal is obvious. Godwin Jr. has already played with Mike Evans and Tom Brady, so fitting in alongside Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf would not be foreign territory.
But any move would come with a cost. Godwin signed a three-year, $66 million deal in March 2025, and Pittsburgh would be responsible for the rest of his unpaid base salary if it made a trade.
Even with that price tag, the Steelers may not have much choice if they want immediate help. Until the receiving corps gets healthy again, Chris Godwin Jr. belongs firmly on the list of options.
In Other News...
Steelers May Finally Be Seeing Their D-Line Bet Pay Off
Keeanu Bentons recent stretch has given the Steelers something they badly needed along the defensive front: signs that a long-term investment might be starting to pay off. With Derrick Harmon sidelined by a foot injury, Benton was pushed into a bigger role and answered with an active showing in Pittsburghs overtime win over Tampa Bay, the kind of disruptive performance that can change the tone of a defensive line and reinforce why the team committed to him in August.
Patrick Graham said Bentons work against the Buccaneers stood out, and the Steelers have reason to believe theres more to come. The question now is how much of that impact can carry forward once the rotation settles again, because the teams bet on Benton was never just about one good afternoon. It was about finding a linchpin up front, and the early returns suggest the payoff may be coming into view. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Still Have One Trade Deadline Problem Fans Can't Ignore
Even after a busy stretch of roster patching, the Steelers still have work to do before the 2026 NFL trade deadline becomes a real point of pressure. Pittsburgh has already added Sean Murphy-Bunting, Terrell Smith and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, but those signings only underline how many spots still deserve attention if the front office wants more stability and depth heading into the next stage of the roster build.
Guard remains a glaring question, and the secondary and receiving corps could use more help as well, with cornerback, linebacker and wide receiver all sitting on the list of needs. The Steelers are clearly monitoring ways to upgrade, but for now the bigger story is not what they have done, it is how many holes still remain and which direction they will choose when the market presents them with a real option. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Paris Plans Changed As Unrest Starts Affecting Fan Experience
The NFLs first regular-season game in Paris is still on the schedule, with the Steelers and Saints set to play at Stade de France even as civil unrest continues to ripple across the city. For Pittsburgh, the football part of the trip remains intact, and the league is working with local authorities on the operational and security side as it prepares to stage a landmark overseas game.
What has changed is the fan experience around the matchup. Pittsburgh had planned a Steelers House event in Paris to give traveling supporters a central gathering place, but that piece of the week has been pulled back as the situation in the city develops. The game itself is moving forward, yet the atmosphere around it has clearly shifted, and the Steelers are adjusting their footprint accordingly. [Read more 🡒]
