Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) makes a touchdown catch during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) makes a touchdown catch during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
DK Metcalf had one catch for four yards Sunday.
The Steelers’ No. 1 wide receiver has one of the highest drop rates in the NFL, and in the win against the Cleveland Browns he dropped a deep ball that ricocheted into the hands of cornerback Denzel Ward for an interception.
Metcalf is on pace for just 718 yards, which would be a career low. His struggles are a key factor in the Steelers being mentioned as buyers in the receiver market as the NFL trade deadline nears, but he’s not the only reason.
In Sunday’s victory against the Browns, the longest catch by a receiver was 15 yards, by rookie Germie Bernard. Other than the occasional deep completion to Metcalf, the Steelers struggle to get explosive plays from their receivers.
[Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) gets past Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) with the Steelers' Brock Hoffman (67) trailing the play during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026.
Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) gets past Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) with the Steelers' Brock Hoffman (67) trailing the play during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026.](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2026/11/02/steelers-browns-offensive-line-mike-mccarthy/stories/202611010114)
Roman Wilson provided a few of those before he went on injured reserve with a hand injury. He’s not eligible to return until the Nov. 17 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Michael Pittman Jr., who has missed the past four games with a foot injury, is eligible to come off of IR for the Nov. 15 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. But he just started to run again last week.
Pittman’s return seems iffier than Wilson’s. Pittman said on Monday his original injury was plantar fasciitis, but it has since “morphed into something else.” He sounded hopeful about returning at some point, but the Steelers might have to get by for another few games without him.
It would appear the Steelers’ off week comes at an opportune time for general manager Omar Khan to evaluate what his offense needs in order to repeat as AFC North champions and get a high seed in the playoffs.
The Steelers sit atop the division with a 6-2 record, but the toughest portion of the schedule lies ahead. What Khan and coach Mike McCarthy have to decide is whether their offense is sustainable as currently constituted.
In other words, can the Steelers count on their tight ends and running backs to provide most of the team’s big passing plays on a weekly basis?
Darnell Washington, the biggest tight end, led the Steelers in receiving with 94 yards against the Browns and had the longest play of the game — a 58-yarder to the 1-yard line that set up a touchdown.
[Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt celebrates after sacking Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson during the second half of an NFL football game at Acrisure Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, in Pittsburgh.
Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt celebrates after sacking Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson during the second half of an NFL football game at Acrisure Stadium, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, in Pittsburgh.](https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2026/11/02/steelers-defense-versus-browns-tj-watt/stories/202611010117)
Warren has the longest receiving play of the season, an 80-yard touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts. He has three other catches of 20 yards or more. No receiver on the roster other than Metcalf can boast that.
Although Khan has developed a reputation as a wheeler and dealer, history suggests the Steelers won’t make a blockbuster deal.
All trades this year must be completed by 4 p.m. Nov. 10.
Here are three receivers the Steelers could target in a trade:
Brian Thomas Jr.
After a superb rookie season for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024, Thomas seems to have fallen out of favor under coach Liam Coen and new general manager James Gladstone.
Doug Pederson was the coach in 2024, when Thomas had 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. Last season, Coen’s first in Jacksonville, Thomas’ production was cut almost in half. He had 48 catches for 707 yards and two touchdowns.
This season, with Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers emerging as Trevor Lawrence’s top targets, Thomas might benefit from a fresh start elsewhere.
Thomas has one catch in his past three games and 10 catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns all season.
Steelers fit: Thomas would give the Steelers another viable downfield threat on the outside.
Josh Downs
The Colts are in fire sale mode, and Downs has requested a trade. It seems to be a case of not if but when he is dealt.
Downs has 30 catches for 330 yards and one touchdown this season. His best season came in 2024, when he had 72 catches for 803 yards and five touchdowns.
The Colts have struggled to get consistent play at quarterback during Downs’ tenure, so there might be more production if he can get into the right situation.
It would not cost much for the Steelers to get him. He’s in the final year of his four-year, $5.5 million rookie deal.
Steelers fit: Downs is undersized but can make plays from the slot. Aaron Rodgers likes Wilson, but Downs, who has a longer track record, could be a nice alternative should Wilson struggle to return to form after his hand injury.
Ladd McConkey
The Los Angeles Chargers are 0-7, but they haven’t indicated a willingness to trade good players. McConkey certainly could help any team, including the Steelers.
McConkey had 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie and 789 yards and six touchdowns last season.
His production is down this season, but the Chargers have struggled overall under first-year offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.
Steelers fit: At the 2024 Senior Bowl, former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin paid close attention to two receivers — Wilson and McConkey. McConkey ended up getting drafted early in the second round, while the Steelers got Wilson late in the third. Tomlin is gone, but the same scouting department remains.
First Published: November 3, 2026, 1:00 a.m.