Steelers Now Learning How Much An Injury To A Player Not In Pittsburgh Is Affecting Team Down The Stretch

The Pittsburgh Steelers are not in great shape entering Week 16 when it comes to the injury report. One of the most glaring issues in recent games has been the absence of wide receiver George Pickens, the clear-cut number one pass-catcher on the roster. The former second-round pick is dealing with a hamstring ailment, and it's obvious that the team is taking its time working him back with a playoff spot already clinched. Unfortunately, Pickens not being able to play is leading to a lot of criticism being directed towards General Manager Omar Khan, and his inability to acquire a legitimate threat at wide receiver.

Khan attempted to trade for Brandon Aiyuk and failed. The next high-profile wideout was Davante Adams, but he ended up being dealt to the New York Jets. There were still a couple of other options on the table as the trade deadline neared, and perhaps the most attractive option, is a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Christian Kirk was absolutely a target, until he wasn't.

The veteran ended up breaking his collarbone just a couple of weeks before the deadline. It was reported not too long after that the Steelers were attempting to trade for Kirk, but the injury derailed everything. In a recent chat for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reporter Gerry Dulac was asked about the lack of involvement for Mike Williams, and the insider was brutally honest.

"Oh, he's being more involved more, just not to the level everyone was expecting," Dulac wrote. "And there's a reason -- he's not the old Mike Williams. He was Plan C after Brandon Aiyuk and Christian Kirk didn't work out."

Anyone that tries to argue that Kirk wouldn't have been more effective to this point compared to Williams would be wrong, even with Williams' big touchdown against the Washington Commanders. Before his injury, Kirk was on pace to have over 800 yards receiving on the season, and that was in an offense that was, and still is now, pretty hopeless. Kirk's injury hasn't directly affected the Steelers' season, but it can be debated if it has indirectly.

There have been certain times when wide receivers not named Pickens have stepped up in 2024, but not in a consistent enough fashion. Khan and the front office should have some serious regret about not going out and getting a more formidable pass-catcher in the offseason. It's quite possible that Kirk would be wearing the black and gold if not for his season-ending injury.

At this point in the year, a late addition isn't going to do much of anything, even if his name is Odell Beckham Jr. The Steelers are stuck with what they have and are facing a terrible reality about the future of the position for the franchise. Pickens may be extended in the 2025 offseason, but that does not solve the overall problem, especially if one watches the tape when he hasn't been on the field in December.

Pittsburgh will have to have standout defense moving forward, as long as the star wide receiver is in street clothes on the sideline. That didn't happen against the Philadelphia Eagles, which is one of the bigger reasons why the Steelers were unable to secure an upset victory on the road - something the team will have to do against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16, without Pickens.

Steelers Will Have A Busy 2025 Offseason At Wide Receiver

Extending Pickens could be at the top of Pittsburgh's priority list, but adding pass-catchers in both free agency and the draft is a must. The offense has potential to be dangerous, but fans are seeing how one player on the sidelines makes a huge difference. Kirk is no Pickens, but will have filled a void and had an opportunity to make some plays if he was ever acquired. He immediately would have been the top option with Pickens injured.

Do you think the Steelers would have traded for Kirk had he not gotten injured? Let us know in the comments below!

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