The NFL trade deadline came and went on November 4, and while most teams stayed the course, the Pittsburgh Steelers made one notable move-adding safety Kyle Dugger to bolster their defense. But when it came to addressing their most glaring need-offensive firepower at wide receiver-they stood pat. And now, with the playoff race heating up, that decision is starting to look like a missed opportunity.
The Steelers were linked to several wideouts ahead of the deadline, but one name stood out: Jakobi Meyers. The veteran receiver was reportedly high on Pittsburgh’s radar, and General Manager Omar Khan had a deal on the table.
But when the negotiations hit a certain price point, the Steelers backed off. The Las Vegas Raiders ultimately sent Meyers to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and since then, the ripple effects have been hard to ignore.
Let’s be clear-Meyers hasn’t suddenly turned into a WR1 in Jacksonville. He’s not lighting up the stat sheet every week.
But what he has done is exactly what the Steelers needed: provide reliable production, move the chains, and complement an existing offensive structure. Since joining the Jaguars, Meyers has helped the team to a 4-1 record.
Jacksonville now sits atop the AFC South at 9-4, and their offense looks sharper, more balanced, and more consistent with Meyers in the mix.
Meanwhile in Pittsburgh, the offense continues to sputter. The Steelers have leaned on veteran receivers like Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling-solid names, but neither has brought the kind of spark that could elevate this group.
In comparison, Meyers stands out. He’s not a game-breaker, but he’s a smart route-runner with strong hands and a knack for finding soft spots in coverage.
That kind of presence could’ve gone a long way in Pittsburgh’s scheme, especially with the team battling inconsistency at quarterback and struggling to sustain drives.
Through five games with the Jaguars, Meyers has found the end zone three times. He’s topped 90 receiving yards only once in that stretch-but again, it’s not about gaudy numbers.
It’s about impact. He’s made timely catches, extended drives, and taken pressure off the rest of the receiving corps.
That’s the kind of complementary weapon the Steelers could’ve used, especially as they fight to stay alive in a competitive AFC North.
To Khan’s credit, the addition of Dugger has been a solid move on the defensive side. He’s brought physicality and versatility to the secondary.
But the offense needed help, and the front office decided not to pay the premium. Whether that was a long-term play to protect future draft capital or a belief in the current roster, the decision is under the microscope now.
The Steelers are still technically in the playoff mix, but they’re walking a tightrope. One or two more missteps, and they could find themselves on the outside looking in. And if that happens, the missed opportunity to land a steady, proven receiver like Jakobi Meyers will loom even larger.
In the NFL, sometimes the best moves are the ones you don’t make. But other times, the ones you skip come back to haunt you. Right now, it feels like the Steelers are staring down the latter.