The Steelers are sitting in a spot where a small move could pay off in a big way.
At 5-2 after their win in Paris over the New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh has put itself ahead of schedule during Aaron Rodgers’ final rodeo. That’s exactly why the trade deadline matters here: the roster is in position to get even better, and ESPN’s Bill Barnwell sees a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders as one worth making.
Barnwell’s idea is straightforward. Pittsburgh would send a 2028 sixth-round pick to Las Vegas and receive safety Isaiah Pola-Mao plus a 2028 seventh-round selection in return. On paper, it’s the kind of low-cost swing that could help the Steelers now and still leave them with draft flexibility later.
Pola-Mao has turned himself into much more than a depth piece. The former USC standout joined the Raiders in 2022 as an undrafted free agent and climbed his way from special teams and reserve duty into a starting job.
That rise wasn’t accidental. He earned it by becoming a dependable, versatile defender with a real feel for the football.
In 2025, Pola-Mao posted 92 total tackles, two interceptions, and four pass deflections. He also showed the kind of flexibility that defensive coaches love. As Patrick Graham put it, “He’s played linebacker for us before; he’s played down safety; he’s played post safety,” Graham explained.
That sort of versatility would fit the Steelers’ needs. Their defense has held up well overall, but the secondary is getting thin, and the injuries are starting to pile up. Jalen Ramsey’s dominant outing against Tampa Bay - 10 tackles, four tackles for loss, and two sacks in a 26-19 comeback overtime win - earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors, but his wrist remains something to watch.
Ramsey also had a rougher night in Week 8 against the Saints, though he has been able to play through the discomfort. If he couldn’t go, Pittsburgh would be leaning heavily on rookie Robert Spears Jennings and Jaquan Brisker, with DeShon Elliott limited after being activated from injured reserve because of a knee issue.
Brisker has been one of the steadiest players in the group, ranking second on the defense with 41 tackles and playing in every game so far. Spears Jennings, meanwhile, has been outplaying his seventh-round billing and has become a meaningful contributor.
Even with Elliott working his way back, the Steelers can’t ignore the lack of depth. Pola-Mao would give them another experienced option no matter how Elliott’s situation plays out.
There’s also a roster opening that makes the idea harder to dismiss. Pittsburgh recently cut veteran safety RayShawn Jenkins, who played in all six games but started only once.
That vacancy should push Omar Khan to keep looking for help, and a deal for Pola-Mao would check a lot of boxes. He has 31 starts, knows Patrick Graham from their time together in Las Vegas, and is in a reduced role this season after making just one start. The swap would also let Pittsburgh move from the sixth round to the seventh in 2028 while preserving earlier picks for bigger needs.
In Other News...
Steelers Finally Have A Defensive Trend Fans Can Believe In
For a defense that has spent much of the season looking for something stable to build around, Week 7 offered a promising glimpse in the middle of the field. Payton Wilson and Patrick Queen were central to the Steelers' best work against the Saints, with both linebackers showing up against the run and helping keep New Orleans from finding any easy answers through the air.
Wilson was active around the ball all afternoon, stacking up run stops and making a big play that flipped field position. Queen was just as busy, finishing with 10 tackles, a pass breakup and a sack while staying disciplined in coverage, a stretch of play that gave Pittsburgh a clear reason to think this pairing can anchor a more dependable defensive trend going forward. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers 5-2 Start Feels Good Until This Familiar Concern Returns
A 5-2 start is exactly the kind of cushion the Steelers wanted heading toward the bye, especially with a chance to get to 6-2 before the break. The defense under Patrick Graham has done enough to keep the club in position, and the overall vibe around the team is positive enough to make the standings look better than they have in a while.
Still, the same old offensive unease keeps creeping back into the discussion, and that is what makes this stretch feel so familiar. Mike McCarthys group is searching for a clear identity, with the attack seemingly pulled in different directions, while the bigger concern is whether this is just another promising November setup that leaves the Steelers wondering about the same issues once the games matter most. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Cant Ignore This Secondary Problem Much Longer
The Steelers defensive front gave them something to feel good about in Paris, where they held the Saints to 10 points and again showed how disruptive their pass rush and line play can be when everything is clicking. But even with that kind of performance, the back end still looks like the area that could keep this defense from fully settling in, especially after the trade that left them without a true boundary corner.
Pittsburgh can survive a lot when the front is winning the fight up front, but the secondary has become the lingering question opponents will keep testing. Cornerback remains the obvious spot to monitor, and while the idea of adding help is already circulating, the Steelers have not done anything yet to suggest the answer is coming quickly. [Read more 🡒]