The Steelers have spent plenty of time in the wide receiver conversation, but the more practical trade deadline move might be on the other side of the ball.
With the November 10 deadline closing in, Pittsburgh should take a hard look at inside linebacker help. Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson are the starters, and both just turned in strong showings in the 27-6 win over Cleveland.
Queen finished with 12 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. Wilson added eight tackles and made a strong stop near the goal line.
Neither player looks like a problem that needs solving.
Still, the issue isn’t the top of the depth chart. It’s what comes after it.
Queen’s inconsistency has already stirred Steelers trade talk, and the backups behind him and Wilson don’t offer much proof that Pittsburgh could keep the same level of versatility if one of the starters missed time. The Steelers need insurance, not a replacement for the guys they already trust.
That’s what makes this position so interesting. Queen and Wilson bring the speed and range to chase ball carriers, work downhill, and handle coverage duties. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham can lean into those traits, especially when the front creates chances for linebackers to attack.
After those two, the options get thinner.
Cole Holcomb brings veteran experience. Carson Bruener adds special-teams value.
Elandon Roberts is back in the organization and gives the defense another downhill body. But none of them can fully cover the same responsibilities Queen and Wilson are asked to handle.
That’s why linebacker has already shown up on the Steelers’ trade deadline board as a possible priority. For a team sitting at 6-2 and leading the AFC North, the goal is to stay steady, not roll the dice on perfect health the rest of the way.
One name worth watching is Tennessee Titans linebacker Cedric Gray. He has worked as a rotational defender and has 29 combined tackles through seven games, according to the Titans’ official defensive statistics. His athletic traits and early NFL experience make him an interesting target, though his limited starting résumé doesn’t promise an immediate upgrade.
There’s also no guarantee Tennessee would even move him. Pittsburgh would first have to find out whether the Titans are open to dealing him and whether he’s worth the draft capital it would take to get him.
And Gray isn’t the only possibility. The Steelers could also look at more experienced linebackers who might provide immediate rotational help.
Wide receiver is still a real issue, especially with injuries to Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson affecting the offense. But Pittsburgh does have DK Metcalf, emerging rookie Germie Bernard, and two productive tight ends helping Aaron Rodgers.
Inside linebacker is a different kind of need. The Steelers can’t just assume Queen and Wilson will absorb every tough assignment all season without extra support.
So while another receiver might grab the headlines, Omar Khan may be better off finding an affordable linebacker who can strengthen the rotation without costing the team valuable future assets. That kind of move may not be flashy, but it could matter plenty when Cincinnati, Baltimore, and the AFC’s top contenders come into view.
In Other News...
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For the Steelers, the appeal is less about helping a rival and more about controlling the shape of the AFC North stretch run. Moving Rudolph would not only alter Baltimores short-term plans, it could also keep the Ravens from landing a bigger-name answer and changing the balance of the division. What Pittsburgh might get back in a deal remains part of the conversation, but the larger issue is whether the Steelers want to let a quarterback-needy rival solve its problem with a player they know well. [Read more 🡒]
Mike Tomlin Just Gave Steelers Fans A Real Answer On Coaching
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The bigger question for Steelers fans has been whether this is a pause or a permanent exit from coaching, and the early signs have pointed in one direction. Cam Heyward and reporter Gerry Dulac have both indicated that Tomlin has made it clear he does not plan to return to the sideline, even as Pittsburgh has moved on under new head coach Mike McCarty and sits at 6-2. For now, the Steelers are building their new identity without looking over their shoulder for a Tomlin comeback. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Win Just Raised The Pressure For Omar Khan To Add A Receiver
The Steelers latest win did more than pad the standings. It sharpened the conversation around Omar Khan and the wide receiver spot, because the roster still looks like it could use another reliable target before the stretch run. With the offense still searching for more juice on the perimeter, the trade market is starting to feel like the obvious place to look.
One name that has surfaced in that discussion is a Chargers receiver whose skill set and injury history make him an intriguing fit for Pittsburgh, especially with Los Angeles sitting in a rough spot and potentially open to moving pieces for future assets. Nothing has been confirmed, and there have been no official negotiations, but the idea is simple enough: if the Steelers want to turn a good win into a stronger playoff push, they may need to be aggressive about adding help at receiver. [Read more 🡒]