Steelers' Omar Khan Left Confused As WR Trade Ends In Failure

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense hasn’t been the problem for most of the 2025 season. However, during the Steelers’ 25-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night in Week 10, it became clear that the offense needed help. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers struggled mightily, arguably putting together the worst game of his career, while the team’s wide receivers and tight ends had difficulty creating separation all game long.

Following the loss, many Steelers fans took to social media to express frustration over the team not acquiring a wide receiver before the NFL trade deadline. Others dismissed that argument, believing that a lack of wide receiver help wasn’t the main reason for Sunday night’s defeat. The debate highlighted how exposed the Steelers can be when their passing game struggles against a strong defense.

The situation was further illuminated by Steelers insider Gerry Dulac on the Steelers Kickoff show Sunday morning. Dulac revealed that General Manager Omar Khan thought he had secured a quality wide receiver via trade once again, but the deal fell through at the last minute. The missed opportunity only added to the sense of urgency surrounding the team’s need for offensive weapons as the season progresses.

"I will tell you they certainly tried," Dulac said while speaking on KDKA's Steelers Kickoff show Sunday morning. "In fact, they thought they actually had a deal for a wide receiver, would've been a quality wide receiver, and it just kind of fell through. And not from their end."

Dulac didn’t specify which wide receiver was involved, but looking at the trades, it’s fair to assume Jakobi Meyers could have been the player Khan believed Pittsburgh could acquire. Rashid Shaheed, who was also moved right at the deadline, could have been another option, as well as a superstar like Jaylen Waddle, who ultimately wasn’t traded because the Miami Dolphins clearly value him and see him as part of their future. 

There were certainly plenty of exciting possibilities, and from the sounds of it, Dulac believes the Steelers were close to landing a player who clearly would have helped their offense in Week 10 against the Chargers. In the end, they didn’t, and now the team moves forward with DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson, and Calvin Austin III.

Steelers Could Have Had An Elite Wide Receiver Duo In 2025

The Steelers had excited the fan base when they traded in the 2025 offseason to acquire Metcalf. It was an overnight resurrection of a lackluster offense, pairing Metcalf with another elite wide receiver in George Pickens. Many pundits and fans were eager to watch opposing secondaries try to stop that matchup nightmare.

However, the Steelers didn’t let that vision last long. Just a few weeks after trading for Metcalf, they traded away Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, creating a wide receiver issue. Wilson and Austin have shown flashes, and the Steelers have a group of tight ends including Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, and Darnell Washington who can impact the passing attack. 

Still, on Sunday night, it wasn’t enough, and that was on full display. Obviously, whether Pickens was still in Pittsburgh or if the Steelers had additional wide receiver help, it’s not fair to assume they would have won the game. However, it is safe to say the offense would have looked better, and more pass catchers would have been open.

How much of a difference would the Steelers offense have made on Sunday night if they had pulled off a trade for a productive wide receiver? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!

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