The Steelers don’t have to look far if they want to find a trade partner before the deadline. After Pittsburgh beat Indianapolis just over a week ago, the Colts turned around and fired general manager Chris Ballard, leaving an organization that could suddenly be ready to move pieces. With no GM in place, the Colts look like a team that might be willing to deal at a discount, and Pittsburgh could try to take advantage.
That creates a list of names worth watching for the Steelers, especially if Omar Khan decides to get aggressive. Indianapolis has several players who could fit what Pittsburgh needs right now, whether that’s help on offense, reinforcements in the trenches, or more stability in the secondary.
Josh Downs is one of the cleaner fits if the Steelers want receiver help. Injuries have piled up at the position, and Downs offers an established option despite the uneven start to his season.
He’s still just 25 and has a solid track record, even if he’s not a big-bodied target. He also brings value as a returner.
Through six games, he has 289 yards and no touchdowns, and a change of scenery could help get him back on track.
DeForest Buckner would be a much bigger swing. The Steelers probably aren’t shopping for a defensive lineman first, but the idea of adding Buckner next to Cam Heyward is hard to ignore.
With Derrick Harmon’s injury history in the conversation, Pittsburgh could use more certainty up front. Keeanu Benton and Yahya Black have done well filling in, but Buckner would bring a different level of impact.
He’s had a strong season with four sacks, eight quarterback hits, and four tackles for loss, though his name and contract situation could make this a pricey move.
Quenton Nelson would be the kind of pickup that changes the look of the offensive line immediately. The Colts letting him enter a season on an expiring contract is surprising, especially with his status as one of the best guards of his era.
If the rumors are right and he’s available, he’d sit at the top of the trade market. Nelson has been a First-team All-Pro three times and a Second-team All-Pro three times, including last season, and he’s made eight Pro Bowls.
For Pittsburgh, the challenge would be fitting the cap hit, but the payoff would be obvious: a major stabilizer in the middle of the line.
Charvarius Ward is the more complicated option, but the need at cornerback is real. Bringing in another aging defensive back is not exactly ideal, yet the Steelers need starting-level help, and Ward could at least give them another veteran option.
If the Colts were willing to absorb most of the salary, the deal becomes easier to justify. Pittsburgh’s secondary is a problem right now, and with Daylen Everette, Jamel Dean, and Asante Samuel Jr. showing signs of struggle over the past couple of weeks, the Steelers may need to act.
Ward may not be a perfect answer, but after trading Joey Porter Jr., he could help steady the group.
In Other News...
Aaron Rodgers Had A Ruthless Postgame Moment After Steelers Comeback Win
Aaron Rodgers spent much of Sunday night trading punches in the pocket and in the back-and-forth that followed, helping the Steelers survive a tense road test against Tampa Bay. Pittsburgh needed overtime to finish off a comeback win at Raymond James Stadium, and Rodgers was steady enough to keep them alive after a rough start, throwing for 253 yards with two touchdowns and one interception as the offense found just enough rhythm to get back in the game.
The postgame edge was there, too, after Rodgers had already answered a rookie's trash talk in real time. He later took aim at the field conditions in Tampa, adding another pointed note to a night that had plenty of them. For the Steelers, the result mattered most, but Rodgers made sure the game left a little extra residue beyond the standings. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Finally Get Clarity On Joey Porter Jr. Trade Return
The Joey Porter Jr. trade finally moved from paperwork to certainty when he was active for the Dallas Cowboys' Week 6 game against the Green Bay Packers. That appearance satisfied the condition attached to the deal with Pittsburgh, giving the Steelers the clarity they had been waiting for on what they were getting back in return.
With the activation complete, Pittsburgh now has its full draft compensation secured and can close the book on the transaction. The return includes a 2027 sixth-round pick and a 2028 second-round pick, a resolution that lets the Steelers move on from the lingering uncertainty around Porter and look ahead to what those selections can mean down the road. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Escaped Tampa But One Late Decision Will Be Debated
Pittsburgh left Tampa with a 26-19 overtime win, but the victory came with plenty to sort through on both sides of the ball. The offense never found a smooth rhythm for long stretches, and Jaylen Warrens limited first-half workload stood out in a game where the Steelers often needed more balance to help steady the tempo.
The defense delivered enough high-leverage moments to keep Pittsburgh alive, with interceptions from Jamel Dean and Daylen Everette and sacks from Jaylen Ramsey and Nick Herbig helping shape a tense finish. Still, the late-game management will linger as a talking point, especially after the Steelers had a chance to close it out in regulation and instead left the outcome hanging until overtime. [Read more 🡒]