Rapoport: Steelers Fans Have 3 Big Names To Watch For Via Trade

After a massive 27-20 win over the AFC-leading Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon, which saw four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the offense record 27+ points for the third consecutive week, the 5-3 Pittsburgh Steelers have a two-game lead in the AFC North. Now, Steelers General Manager Omar Khan could be looking to add some more help ahead of the NFL's November 4th trade deadline. That help could come in the form of a potential wide receiver.

With an opportunity to capitalize on building a division winner this season, the Steelers are looking to add another weapon on offense. According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Pittsburgh is hoping to make a move before Tuesday's trade deadline. 

"Aaron Rodgers' Pittsburgh Steelers are also in the trade market," Rapoport said. "My understanding is they are looking for receiver help in advance of Tuesday's 4 p.m. trade deadline. A couple of names to watch: Jakobi Meyers, Rashid Shaheed, the speedster from the New Orleans Saints, and maybe even Jaylen Waddle."

This news should give Steelers fans a sense of excitement. While Rodgers is currently near the top of the league with 17 passing touchdowns, and even though the offense continues to utilize eight or nine different pass-catchers each week, perhaps a trade for a veteran player could help take offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's group to a whole new level. 

Top wide receiver DK Metcalf had just two catches for six yards in Sunday's win, which may actually be a good thing, as other players are getting more involved. Still, the addition of another receiver could help complement the Pro Bowler. 

Steelers receiver Calvin Austin III was the only wide receiver to record over 10 receiving yards against Indianapolis. The addition of a new receiver could make the Steelers' offense harder to defend, seeing as they love to utilize every position player on the field in a multitude of ways.

Steelers Adding 1 More Pass-Catcher Could Make A Huge Difference

Austin was the team's leading receiver against the Colts, as he caught five passes for 56 yards. The next four pass-catchers on that list, in terms of receiving yards, either play tight end or running back. 

While it isn't bad that Pittsburgh is utilizing the tight ends and running backs through the air, it could get old by the time the season reaches December and potentially January. Smith and Rodgers will need to continue to throw wrinkles at opposing defenses. It was good enough on Sunday in the red zone, even if the collective only recorded 225 yards.

That is why the addition of big-play threats such as Jakobi Meyers, Rashid Shaheed, or Jaylen Waddle could prove to be quite significant. Meyers recorded over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career in 2024 on a struggling Las Vegas Raiders offense. Shaheed is averaging nearly 15 yards per catch and just under seven yards per rush as a dynamic player for the New Orleans Saints. 

Waddle is just 26 years of age and has three career 1,000-yard seasons. Any of these players would be an intriguing complement to Metcalf. Imagine an offense where Rodgers is the quarterback and defenses have to account for his arm, Metcalf, a deep tight end room, Austin, running back Jaylen Warren, and a key number two wide receiver. 

That is a dangerous offense, and if the Steelers' defense plays the way that it did on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium, forcing turnovers left and right, the sky could be the limit. That is how significant a trade for a wide receiver could be before the deadline hits. 

Do you think that the Steelers have to make a trade for a receiver before the deadline? Let us know in the comments below!

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