In the grand scheme of things, the Pittsburgh Steelers are in a good spot with there they sit through the first six weeks of the 2025 NFL season. Despite the disappointing loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday Night Football that dropped the Steelers to 4-2, they are still sitting atop the AFC North with a record of 4-2.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers speaks with Bengals' Joe Flacco after a loss in the 2025 season.
On Thursday night against the Bengals, the Steelers' defense is what ultimately let the team and Steeler Nation down. Pittsburgh's defensive unit consistently failed to stop the Bengals' offense and allowed a game winning field goal drive in the final seconds after the offense took the league late in the 4th quarter.
However, the Steelers are still heavily in the wide receiver market following the loss, despite the team's offense being the much more sound unit throughout the first six games.
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Steelers' DK Metcalf celebrates after a big play during a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on the road during the 2025 season.
There is one big-name player that was previously linked to the Steelers as a potential trade option, but he is reportedly staying put and his team isn't looking to trade him. That would be wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who is currently on the Miami Dolphins: a team that has started the season in a very disappointing fashion. Respected insider Ian Rapoport detailed the circumstances as the trade deadline looms.
"Several teams have called the Dolphins about star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, and sources say those teams have been told Miami has no interest in trading him." Rapoport noted. "Similar to Simmons for Tennessee, dealing Waddle would signal a look to the future rather than trying to win now. While things can change, it seems far more likely Miami would be willing to deal an edge rusher (perhaps Matt Judon, Bradley Chubb or even Jaelan Phillips)."
The addition of Waddle would have been a huge move for General Manager Omar Khan to make, and would've added a top tier playmaker into the offense. However, that doesn't look like it'll happen at this point given the recent report from Ian Rapoport.
Getting additional speed into the Steelers offense would be very welcomed, as the team doesn't have a proven deep threat. Calvin Austin III was expected to fill that role, but that hasn't happened on a consistent basis and he has also missed some time with injury.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Wide Receiver Calvin Austin III
DK Metcalf has plenty of speed, but as the team's unquestioned number one wide receiver he isn't the one that is being asked to take the top off the defense on the majority of his routes.
While Waddle may be off the market, there are other wide receivers with similar skillsets that are still rumored to be available like wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed of the New Orleans Saints. Should the Steelers be determined to add a wide receiver with a lot of speed to the offense, a move is there to be made.
Steelers Might Need To Explore Trade Market For A Defender
It is crazy that a defense that tops the league in their payroll might need to look to add a piece via trade during the regular season, but that might just be the case. The Steelers secondary was torched by the Bengals wide receivers in Week 7, and while there isn't a clear cut person to blame (most of them are), the secondary was definitely highlighted.
There isn't a secondary that can consistently shut down the Bengals top two wide receivers anywhere in the NFL, but it was clear the Steelers secondary wasn't up to the task. Even the Bengals third wide receiver, Andrei Iosivas, managed to beat Darius Slay deep in a key point of the game where the Steelers doubled both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. That simply can't happen.
It is never a good scenario when a team feels like they need to make a trade to sure up positions mid-season, but the Steelers have a lot of draft capital in 2026 and have Super Bowl aspirations which may push them to make a move.
Do you believe it would be good for the Steelers to target a proven wide receiver at the trade deadline, or should they focus elsewhere? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share all of your Steelers takes with me on X @matt_papiernik and follow me.
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