Steelers' Next Trade Could Eliminate Their Biggest Offensive Concern

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2026 offseason needing to shape up their wide receiver room. DK Metcalf did not have a ton of help around him in 2025, limiting his production on the field. The front office made a strong effort to try to complement him on the outside, adding veteran receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Germie Bernard. Both are expected to make big contributions to the offense this season, but behind them is a major question mark.

There's been plenty of hype around Roman Wilson, but he hasn't gotten a chance to make a big impact. While that could change in a new offense, there still isn't a ton to go off of to truly know what he can do in the NFL. Then the other receiver on the depth chart is Ben Skowronek, who has been very valuable on special teams. While he has taken some snaps at receiver, he still isn't considered a guy that they ultimately trust. 

With major questions lingering regarding these two, there could be another move to watch out for if they don't get off to convincing starts in training camp. Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo wrote on Friday that that Omar Khan could look to add another receiver through the trade market. This question need to be answered and depth will be very important with aging veterans and young, inexperienced players on the roster.

"The issue for the Steelers isn’t the top of the depth chart — it’s the bottom of it," Fittipaldo wrote. "Roman Wilson, a third-round pick in 2024, could be an option as a depth piece if he has a strong training camp. And veteran Ben Skowronek, the team’s best special-teams player, could round out the receiver corps. But there is little veteran experience beyond Skowronek, which has to be a concern for Khan."

While there are some rookie options that are considered more long-term special teams players, it may make more sense to target a more experienced player on the trade market to round out this roster. They could very well at another third receiver or a fifth to get Bernard better acclimated to the league or just have a more reliable option ready to go over Skowronek. 

The organization did this last year, adding veterans late in the season in Marquez Valdez-Scantling and Adam Thielen. Both were just one-year guys and served a purpose late in the year, but they were part of the reason why Pittsburgh needed to attack that group this offseason.

"The Steelers supplemented their receivers group during the 2025 season by adding veterans Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen," Fittipaldo added. "Expect Khan to give Wilson time to prove himself in camp. If the Steelers are not comfortable with him by late August, Khan might have to wheel and deal to add someone else."

Adding someone else isn't a terrible idea either. There are plenty of options for them to consider to help increase their chances of making it to the playoffs and finally winning a game. There are roster moves they could make to spend more money on another receiver as well, which could of course deepen their roster. 

Even with some other rookies waiting for a chance to prove themselves to the Steelers, at this state of the organization, acquiring another veteran could be in their best interest. Even aside from the rookies, Wilson's development is still up in the air and Skowronek isn't considered a weapon on offense. Training camp will tell if they need to make an aggressive push before the season or if they are safe with these limited options.

Steelers' Receiver Depth A Huge Question Entering Training Camp

Even with all the offseason moves, there's some work to be done before everyone can be comfortable with the receiver room. Khan has rebuilt it well, but it may not be finished just yet. Fittipaldo believes there is a chance for it to deepen on the trade front, which could create an interesting storyline to watch out for in these next few weeks.

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