The Steelers are sitting at 6-2, parked at the top of a wide-open AFC North, and the timing couldn’t be better for a front office that needs to be aggressive. With the bye week here and a rough stretch waiting on the other side, Pittsburgh has a real chance to patch a few holes before the trade deadline closes the door.
Wide receiver is the obvious place to start, and Josh Downs keeps popping up as a name worth watching if Ladd McConkey doesn’t get moved. McConkey would be the best receiver available if the Chargers decide to deal him, but if Los Angeles keeps him, Downs becomes a strong fallback. He’s young, he separates well, and he’s scheduled to hit free agency, which makes him the kind of rental the Colts could be willing to move if they truly are in sell mode.
The Steelers also need to keep an eye on the secondary, where Tariq Woolen fits as a possible target. Philadelphia’s season hasn’t gone the way anyone wanted, and Woolen’s name makes sense in that kind of situation. Pittsburgh hasn’t needed Joey Porter Jr. much so far, but with tougher games coming after the bye, adding another corner would give the defense a much safer floor.
Another defensive name to watch is Donte Jackson. He already spent one season with the Steelers in 2024, and his production hasn’t dropped off much even as he’s gotten older. The Chargers would reportedly be in a position to move him at a relatively low cost, and that kind of depth piece could matter fast if the secondary takes a hit.
The trade board doesn’t stop there. Brian Thomas Jr. has been tied to Pittsburgh in rumors, but he doesn’t sound like the right swing to make. The price would likely be steep, and it’s fair to question why a playoff contender would move a high-profile playmaker in the first place.
Up front, the Steelers have reason to stay active even though the line has improved lately. Landon Dickerson stands out because he can play nearly anywhere on the interior, and that flexibility matters with Brock Hoffman still the biggest question mark in the trenches. If Pittsburgh wants insurance, Dickerson makes sense.
Jawaan Taylor is another offensive line option worth considering. Troy Fautanu and Max Iheanachor don’t have reliable replacements behind them, so adding a veteran tackle who can start on either side would give the Steelers more protection if injuries hit.
There’s also Isaiah Pola-Mao, a name that connects through Patrick Graham, who coached him with the Raiders last season. Pola-Mao has slipped into more of a depth role this year, but the secondary is thin enough that Pittsburgh could still find a use for him.
Chris Godwin belongs on the board too, but he shouldn’t be near the top of it. Aaron Rodgers would likely want him, and the fit is easy to see, but Godwin’s down year and injury history make him a less attractive option. He would help, but he hasn’t played a full season since 2023.
Jauan Jennings is another receiver who has to be mentioned, though he comes with the kind of warning sign that should make the Steelers pause. He is tough and willing to block, but this would feel like a Mike Williams-type move from 2024 if Pittsburgh went that route.
The Steelers need more than a grinder at receiver. They need someone dynamic enough to step in and become a real top target, and Jennings sounds more like a panic move than the answer.
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Steelers Need Aaron Rodgers To Change Whats Holding This Offense Back
Aaron Rodgers has kept the Steelers operating in a way that looks familiar to him, with a quick, spread-out passing approach that shows up again and again when the field shrinks near the goal line. Even with Pittsburghs ground game humming and the offense showing real efficiency on the run, the overall structure still tilts toward the pass in scoring territory, and that has left the unit searching for a better finish when drives get tight.
The bye week arrives at a useful time for a team that has found success on the ground but has not fully leaned into it where it matters most. If the Steelers want to turn more of those red-zone trips into touchdowns, the next step may be less about Rodgers doing what he has always done and more about the offense embracing the part of the attack that has carried it so far. [Read more 🡒]
Alex Highsmith Sees Something Different In This Steelers Defense
The Steelers defense looked a lot sharper in the rematch with Cleveland, holding the Browns to season lows in points and rushing yards on the way to a 27-6 win. It was the kind of performance that fit what Alex Highsmith has been seeing from that side of the ball lately, with Pittsburghs defense ranking third in scoring defense and sitting third in takeaways through eight games.
Highsmith pointed to a noticeable difference in how the unit has operated since defensive coordinator Patrick Graham changed where he calls the game from. Players have credited that move with helping the communication and overall flow, and the results have shown up in the way Pittsburgh has tightened the screws on opponents. The bigger question now is whether that cleaner operation can keep holding up as the schedule gets tougher. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Player Christian Kuntz Just Earned Recognition Pittsburgh Fans Will Love
Christian Kuntz has built a reputation in Pittsburgh that goes well beyond his work as the Steelers long snapper. Since taking over the role in 2021, he has used his platform to stay active in the community, and his foundation, Kuntz 4 Ki6s, has helped raise significant funds for local families while also backing events and partnerships aimed at underserved youth.
His latest recognition fits that pattern. Kuntz was honored as the Week 9 NFLPA Community MVP after making a $10,000 donation tied to a new resource room at Pittsburgh Morrow, another example of how he keeps finding ways to turn his visibility into support for people around the city. [Read more 🡒]