Steelers Trade Deadline
Steelers Trade Deadline
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ trade deadline proceedings remain a mystery as to whom they’ll acquire. It’s the world’s worst-kept secret that the organization needs help in the wide receiver department. General manager Omar Khan has only himself to blame for being in this position, but he has until Tuesday at 4 p.m. to save himself from further backlash.
Pittsburgh sits at 6-2 through Week 8 and needs to add to the wide receiver room, and bringing in Brian Thomas Jr. from the Jacksonville Jaguars is the best possible move for the Steelers.
Brian Thomas Jr. Makes Sense for Steelers Trade Deadline Plans
Stretching the Steelers Offense
Through the first eight games, the Steelers rarely throw the ball 10+ yards downfield. According to Pro Football Reference, Pittsburgh’s average depth of target is just seven yards. For context, there are just six teams whose average depth of target is fewer than seven yards. Thomas Jr. would allow the Steelers to stretch the ball further downfield.
In 2026, Thomas Jr. has increased the verticality of the Jaguars offense every time the ball is thrown his way. Even though he only has 21 targets this season, PFF reports the average depth of those targets is 15.1 yards. Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers could certainly use a receiver to pick up a first down every time he catches the ball, which is why he should be at the top of the board for the Steelers’ trade deadline plans.
“The Steelers, with their inability to generate explosive plays down the field, seem like a natural fit for Thomas,” Fox Sports writer Eric Williams wrote on Saturday. “Rodgers could use some help on the perimeter, with receivers combining for just five touchdowns this year. Thomas also would provide another field stretcher to help open the middle of the field.”
BTJ Route Tree
| Source: Lastwordonsports.com - Drew VonScio, Editor
While this example is from 2025, the principle still applies for Thomas Jr. In this game against the Seattle Seahawks in 2025, he saw 10 targets. Of those 10 targets, 70% of them finished with him 10+ yards downfield for the Jaguars. Head coach Liam Cohen uses him to stretch the field, an aspect of the game that Mike McCarthy’s offense is in dire need of for the second half of the season.
Steelers Can’t Let Drop Issue Prevent Them from Making a Move
Thomas Jr. still needs to be at the top of the Steelers; trade deadline wishlist even with a down year. He has just 10 catches on 21 targets this season, which is far from ideal. He was essentially benched for the second half of the game against the Baltimore Ravens, although they didn’t need him to help win the game.
However, the drops can’t turn Khan away from adding the former first-round pick before the deadline. If drops were that much of a dealbreaker, D.K. Metcalf would be unemployed right now, as he has caught just 33 passes on 65 targets. The Steelers’ trade deadline goal is clear: bring a bona fide receiver that can make plays downfield; Thomas Jr. will do exactly that.
What Does a Possible Trade for Thomas Jr. Look Like?
With several teams looking to add help in the pass-catching department, Khan knows he won’t be able to add a big-time playmaker for pennies on the dollar. The Steelers’ trade deadline plans are going to need to involve coughing up reasonable compensation to send to Jacksonville for the third-year veteran.
CBS Sports writer Bryan DeArdo believes this package could get it done:
Steelers Receive: WR Brian Thomas Jr. and 2027 5th Round Pick
Jaguars Receive: 2027 2nd Round Pick and 2027 6th Round Pick
“This is a good trade for the Steelers on multiple fronts,” DeArdo wrote on Friday. “In Thomas, they’d be getting a 6-foot-2, 209-pound playmaker that would help open things up for Metcalf and give Rodgers another big red zone target. The Steelers wouldn’t have to part with [Roman] Wilson.”
If this is the offer that gets it done, Khan should pull the trigger on this deal and secure the top target on the Steelers’ trade deadline plans. With 25 draft picks in the next three years, including 11 in the first three rounds, making this kind of splash should be a no-brainer.
The Last Word
The Steelers’ trade deadline plans come down to one question: do they actually want to get better? If the answer is yes, then going out and adding Thomas Jr. should be done as soon as possible. The Jaguars have already played in Week 9, so there is no need to wait until after their game.
Khan needs to make the deal happen sooner rather than later in case the Steelers’ trade deadline activity includes more than just one wide receiver.
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