Steelers Now Urged To Make Needed Trade To Bring In Realistic Help On Offense

The Pittsburgh Steelers had an extremely aggressive offseason where it felt like the organization was making some sort of trade in every month. A lot of areas on the roster have been turned over, especially at some of the most important positions, including wide receiver and quarterback. The organization acquired DK Metcalf through a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, but the franchise then traded away George Pickens a couple of months later. This left depth at wide receiver an issue, which had been a problem for the last several seasons for the Steelers.

Behind Metcalf is Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson. Wilson has essentially been non-existent in his second season, although he hasn't had many opportunities to make any plays. Austin has been having a decent year, but he suffered a shoulder injury during Pittsburgh's Week 4 win over the Minnesota Vikings and it is unclear how long he might miss. Wilson may have to step up in his absence, while the organization can also explore some trades. Matt Verderame of SI expressed a trade candidate for Pittsburgh in Tim Patrick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, explaining that help should be added at receiver ahead of the trade deadline.

"Last year, Patrick became an essential piece for the Lions after two years on the sideline with a torn ACL and torn Achilles," Verderame wrote. "However, in Detroit, Patrick played in 16 games, making 33 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns. This season though has been different. Patrick is in Jacksonville and behind Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington and rookie Travis Hunter, playing only 22% of the snaps. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh needs a complement to DK Metcalf. Beyond him, the Steelers’ leading receiver is Calvin Austin III, with 10 catches for 139 yards."

Verderame didn't even mention the injury to Austin, but that should certainly factor into whether or not the franchise decides to make a move for a wide receiver. It is suggested that the Steelers give up a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in order to land Patrick from the Jaguars, which sounds like a deal that could realistically come to fruition.

Patrick has had a bit of a rough career. He had a string of decent seasons with the Denver Broncos, but he suffered season-ending injuries in back to back seasons in 2022 and 2023. He returned to the field in 2024 with the Detroit Lions and he became a reliable receiver again. He was an important part of the Lions' push towards the one-seed in the NFC. In 2024, he recorded 33 receptions for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns, which is solid production.

The veteran wide receiver has had a rough go of things in Jacksonville. He has only caught two passes during the 2025 season while barely seeing the field, which makes him an obvious trade candidate. He would be an interesting player for Pittsburgh to bring in as he is more of a complement to Metcalf. He is a big, physical wide receiver which is something the Steelers do not have in the room outside of the top guy.

Steelers Could Hold Off On Wide Receiver Trade

Austin is dealing with a shoulder injury, and some fans thought it was much worse than it truly is after it initially happened. He had to be put in an ambulance and brought to a local hospital when it occurred, which made it sound worse than it was. In reality, he just needed to get to x-ray machines as the stadium Pittsburgh was playing at in Dublin did not have any. More details about the injury have not come out, but having the bye week in Week 5 certainly helps. If Austin may only miss a game or two, Pittsburgh might hold off on any wide receiver trades and give Wilson a shot to make some plays.

What do you think about the Steelers possibly acquiring Patrick? Let us know in the comments below!

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