Steelers Likely To Hit Waiver Wire Instead Of Promising Trade: "Don't Be Expecting [Terry] McLaurin"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are always looking to improve the team any way that they can. That has especially been true ever since General Manager Omar Khan and his staff took over the front office after the 2022 NFL Draft. In the 2025 offseason, they have a very un-Steelers-like flurry of moves to prove their point and do everything they can to reasonably set themselves up for a playoff push, while also getting ready to draft a new face of the franchise at the quarterback position possibly next season. It's to be determined if it all works or not, but they are still trying. 

While the hope is that the Steelers can continue to acquire all kinds of elite talent, insider Mark Kaboly told fans to pump the breaks. While making an appearance on 93.7 The Fan, Kaboly explained how one big potential move should be seen as unrealistic at this point.

"Yeah, don't be expecting [Terry] McLaurin or anything like that," Kaboly said. "They'll look at the waiver wire; they'll try to make a move to bring somebody else in here."

With Terry McLaurin's current contract dispute, his name has been floated around in trade rumors, and the Steelers have been at the forefront of that. The money makes sense, and his age added on to his hold-out could lead to the Washington Commanders losing leverage in this situation. On paper, it is a great idea, and it doesn't hurt to call them up every now and then to gauge interest and a general price. 

Of course, nothing is that easy, and there are many other factors to it. For starters, he has come out and said that he wants similar money to DK Metcalf, whom the Steelers traded for and paid. His extension was set at $33 million per year for four years. If 2025 is included, it goes down to $30 million per year. Paying one receiver that much money is doable. Paying two receivers that is a lot harder to do. 

The Steelers only have about $33.6 million in cap space for 2026 currently, as well as $19.2 million for 2025. Giving all of that to McLaurin right now will be very hard to justify. There would be a lot of cap casualties in the 2026 offseason just so Pittsburgh could afford to sign their draft picks and replace some free agents. Logistically, it just doesn't make sense in that regard. 

Steelers Already Confirmed That They Won't Trade For McLaurin

While he never said it directly, assistant general manager Andy Weidl spoke in a press conference recently and said that the Steelers are "in the pick business," so they can keep taking swings at young players, especially at the quarterback position. At the very least, none of the higher draft picks in 2026 will be moved, so big names like McLaurin are suddenly seemingly off the table. 

Right now, the main reason the Steelers are even looking into another wide receiver is because of the injury to Calvin Austin III, as he has missed two weeks of practice, and there is no timetable on his return. The team brass has been very quiet about what's really going on with him, as they refuse to give out detailed information regarding his ailment. He is officially listed as "day-to-day," but there is still no update on what his injury is. 

The wide receiver depth is already reportedly weak, and losing Austin only makes it worse. As good as the undrafted free agents have performed so far, it's hard to feel good going into a season with two of them in the same position group after roster cutdown day. The Steelers are looking for anyone that can step up and be a contributor, even if a different team has to cut him first.

What do you think about the Steelers likely not trading for McLaurin? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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