Report: Steelers' Trade Deadline Wide Receiver Target Chose To Not Be Sent To Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers decided that it wasn't wise to make any kind of significant move during the NFL's 2025 trade deadline. While the team was said to be desiring a more aggressive approach, nothing came to fruition. The addition of Kyle Dugger could be looked back on as a positive, but the organization did not go out and acquire a wide receiver, despite the need being there. Two of the biggest names being linked to the Steel City were Jakobi Meyers and Rashid Shaheed. The pair were both dealt, but General Manager Omar Khan was unable to secure either playmaker.

It would be unwise to say that the Steelers didn't attempt to acquire a pass-catcher. Khan was most certainly on the phones in the hopes of landing a potential contributor. Unfortunately, Shaheed ended up with the Seattle Seahawks, and Meyers found his way to the Jacksonville Jaguars. This removed Pittsburgh's top two options.

Chris Halicke is a team reporter for the Steelers and in an edition of his Friday Insider, he noted that Khan was indeed trying to land Shaheed. What he offered was actually enough; however, the Seahawks were willing to give up the same exact draft capital. The New Orleans Saints and General Manager Mickey Loomis allowed Shaheed to pick his next destination. It is now evident that his choice was not the Steel City.

"According to a team source, Khan offered the Saints the same package as the Seahawks for wide receiver Rashid Shaheed -- a fourth- and fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft," Halicke explained. "Shaheed preferred to go to Seattle to reunite with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, whom he played under last season in New Orleans, so the Saints accepted the package that honored their player's wishes."

It's easy to respect Shaheed's loyalty to his former play-caller in Klint Kubiak. That is the main reason for the reported decision, but it still sheds a light on Pittsburgh not being as attractive of a destination. The Seahawks have the best receiver in all of football in Jaxon Smith-Njigba along with Cooper Kupp, but Shaheed still liked his opportunity out West compared to the Northeast.

When the news broke on Tuesday, there was still hope in the minds of Steelers fans that Khan would land a wide receiver. However, the question now that must be raised is whether or not Pittsburgh's front office put all of its eggs in one basket. The compensation was clearly enough to acquire Shaheed, but the receiver had different plans, especially after being given the option to choose.

Shaheed brings a unique blend of speed and athleticism, which is what makes him so dynamic. He would have been the perfect gadget-type player to include to plug into the Steelers' offense. Kubiak could have been a main reason for the wideout's decision, but Meyers also found himself heading to Jacksonville, even though Khan was close in compensation yet again, per Halicke.

"The Steelers also were very much involved in the Jakobi Meyers sweepstakes," Halicke wrote. "Though the exact offer isn't known, what I do know is Khan made a similar offer to what the Jaguars paid the Raiders, a fourth- and sixth-round pick in 2026."

All the way around, it seems as if the Steelers weren't willing to give up that extra selection or get a little more aggressive. That is the main reason why a pass-catching threat was not acquired at the deadline.

Steelers Will Look For Young Receivers To Step Up

Pittsburgh did sign Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the practice squad, but Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson will have the chance to prove themselves in the coming weeks. Not bringing in another weapon benefits the duo immensely, particularly Austin, who is in a contract year. Time will tell if the decision to stay put was the right one, but it's now also evident that the Steelers were not a top destination for individuals that were traded.

Do you think that the Steelers are a less attractive team to play for nowadays? Let us know in the comments below!

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