The Pittsburgh Steelers currently have total control of the AFC North, and they can strengthen their iron grip on the division with a Week 6 win against the Cleveland Browns. There are additionally plenty of options for the team to trade for in an attempt to increase their chances of making a deep playoff run. However, they have also made it very clear that the plan is to acquire more draft picks to trade up for a possible franchise quarterback, and/or get more chances at finding quality players -- especially in the middle rounds. As the trade deadline approaches, they seem to be at a crossroads.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan picks up the phone in the team's war room during the 2023 NFL Draft weekend.
During his weekly Q&A chat, insider Gerry Dulac was recently asked about those plans and what General Manager Omar Khan would do before the trade deadline hits. He gave a very straightforward answer to the mindset of Khan and the front office at this point.
"They are playing for now, not for 2026 or 2027," Dulac said. "They'll worry about those seasons then."
Dulac was also asked a lot about tight end Pat Freiermuth, who fans have speculated could be on the move due to his lack of usage. Any question about him possibly being shipped out of town or maybe being in trouble with the team was answered with just one word: "Nope." From what Dulac has seen, it seems like there is no interest in trading away their starting tight end yet, or anyone else that could be seen as expendable.
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Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
From that, it's safe to say that the Steelers will be looking for ways to improve the team for right now. Khan has said before that he is always looking for some way to make his squad better. Of course, they are still in the pick business, so the most logical expectation is that Pittsburgh will only make a trade if they don't have to give up a lot in assets, especially if they can keep said player for more than just 2025.
Potential Trade Options For The Steelers
The Steelers do love their versatile players, especially on defense. They do need help in the trenches, so they could take a quick flyer on someone like Sebastian Joseph-Day, who has been a defensive tackle, a defensive end, and even a nose tackle throughout his career. The starters on the interior defensive line have done well so far for Pittsburgh, but it's always good to have an insurance piece on the team in case something goes wrong.
There is one perfect option for Khan and the Steelers offensively. Wide receiver Chris Olave checks all the boxes that Khan is likely looking for: cheap, efficient, could be extended, and an overall quality player. Just because the Steelers claim to be currently comfortable with their situation at wideout, doesn't mean that it won't hurt to possibly get a steal of a trade to help the short and long-term future.
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Saints' Chris Olave runs a route during an away game in 2023.
As of now, it seems like wide receiver and interior defensive line would be the Steelers' top priorities, but if another high-ceiling player somehow becomes available for a low price at most other positions, it would not be too surprising to see them make a move to bring them on. Khan has never been one to stand pat and stick with what he has in front of him.
It seems like both Freiermuth and outside linebacker Alex Highsmith will stick around, even if people believe that they are expendable. Of course, they could always trade them away after the season is over to accrue more draft picks. It just likely won't happen during the 2025 campaign, as they want every quality player possible to finally break the streak of playoff futility.
What do you think about the Steelers acquiring players on the open market, as opposed to selling? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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