The Steelers have room to make moves before the trade deadline, but cornerback shouldn’t be one of them.
Pittsburgh has already taken some steps to reshape the roster, including adding a wide receiver to the practice squad who could end up replacing two current call-ups. The team also has a veteran linebacker stashed on the practice squad, waiting for his chance.
So there are areas worth watching. Cornerback just isn’t one of them.
Right now, the Steelers have their starters in place, and they’re comfortable enough with a rookie backup that there’s no reason to force the issue. With the deadline getting closer, a cornerback deal would feel like a swing that puts future flexibility at risk without offering enough in return.
Jamel Dean made the case himself with his interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That play was the kind of moment that can settle a debate, showing he can be CB1 for the Steelers and handle the primary outside cornerback role in 2026, even though that wasn’t the expectation coming into this season.
Asante Samuel Jr. had a rough start and dealt with his share of struggles earlier in the year, but the last two games have looked a lot different. Over six games, he has allowed just 42.1% of passes in his direction to be completed, while also posting seven pass deflections and a QBR of 74.1.
Outside of the two touchdowns he has surrendered, Samuel Jr. has become a dependable outside cornerback for Pittsburgh in recent weeks.
Then there’s the depth behind them. Third-round rookie Daylen Everette gives the Steelers another option off the bench, and Jalen Ramsey in the slot helps round out a group that already looks strong enough to stand pat.
That doesn’t mean Pittsburgh should ignore the trade market altogether. Wide receiver is still a concern because Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) and Roman Wilson (finger) are on Injured Reserve.
Inside linebacker has also been hard to watch, with Patrick Queen either hurt or not playing well enough to hold onto his role. And if Elandon Roberts isn’t the answer, the Steelers may need to look elsewhere.
Safety remains unsettled too, with DeShon Elliott injured and Rayshawn Jenkins not playing well.
Those are the kinds of moves that could address real problems. A cornerback trade would be something different: not a fix, but a luxury.
And with the upcoming NFL Draft still expected to include a few quarterbacks worthy of first-round consideration, Pittsburgh has to be careful with its draft capital. Omar Khan has said repeatedly that until the team finds its next long-term starter at quarterback, it can’t afford to get too aggressive with its picks.
So yes, the Steelers should consider making trades. Just not at cornerback.
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Steelers Secondary Is Making The Joey Porter Trade Harder To Judge
The Steelers decision to deal Joey Porter Jr. to Dallas on Oct. 1 already looked like the kind of move that would take some time to properly judge, and three games later the coverage numbers from the cornerback room have only complicated the picture. Jamel Dean, Asante Samuel Jr. and rookie Daylen Everette have helped hold up well on the back end, giving Pittsburgh enough early evidence to suggest the position has not fallen apart without Porter.
Still, the stretch that produced those encouraging results came against a softer run of opposing quarterbacks, and that matters when trying to measure how much the trade really changed the defense. The Steelers have a tougher evaluation ahead, and if the schedule starts asking more of those corners, Porters absence could become a far bigger talking point than it has been so far. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Still Have One Clear Trade Deadline Need At Wide Receiver
The Steelers have already made one move to bolster their receiver room by adding Marquez Valdes-Scantling, but the position still looks like the most obvious area for help as the NFL trade deadline approaches. Pittsburgh needs more reliable depth around its current group, and the market offers a few different kinds of answers, from a steadier veteran presence to younger options with more explosive traits.
Kendrick Bourne, Dontayvion Wicks and Quentin Johnston each fit the conversation for different reasons, which is part of what makes the decision tricky. The Steelers have to balance experience, speed and availability while trying to avoid paying for the wrong kind of upside, and the closer they get to the deadline, the more every possible receiver addition has to be measured against the risks that come with it. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Face One Risky WR Decision As Trade Deadline Nears
The Steelers have already started shoring up their receiver depth by adding veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the practice squad, and he is expected to move onto the active roster. It is the kind of move that suggests Pittsburgh is looking for steadier answers around its passing game as the trade deadline approaches, especially with the front office continuing to weigh how aggressive it wants to be in upgrading the position.
Chris Godwins name has come up in some outside speculation, but the fit looks awkward on paper for Pittsburgh. His contract would be a major commitment, and the injury concerns attached to him make the idea even harder to justify for a team that needs reliability as much as upside. For now, the Steelers appear more likely to lean on the additions already in house than chase a costly swing that would carry plenty of risk. [Read more 🡒]