The Pittsburgh Steelers had a wide receiver plan entering the 2026 season that hasn't exactly panned out. The most concerning situation of them all is the fact that Michael Pittman Jr. could potentially be out for the rest of the year. The veteran was initially expected to play alongside DK Metcalf to form a legitimate one-two punch. Now, it appears as if that role may belong to Germie Bernard. This is especially true because of the added issue of Roman Wilson's arrival on Injured Reserve (IR). Sitting at 4-2, the team could soon be looking to make a splash.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) stands on the field and looks off into the distance while the team works out during a training camp practice at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
The Steelers going after Marquez Valdes-Scantling as a practice-squad addition shouldn't surprise fans in the slightest. The pass-catcher has plenty of familiarity with Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy, so the depth signing makes sense. The veteran wideout won't be the answer to all of Pittsburgh's problems, however. This is why general manager Omar Khan could have significant interest in sending draft capital off for a playmaker.
If there is anything that has been evident with McCarthy in charge, it's that he likes to work with coaches and players he has experience with. This is clear due to the presences of Rico Dowdle, Brock Hoffman, Robert Tonyan, among many others, including plenty of members on the staff. With that, there could be another low-risk, high-reward reunion that is on the horizon.
Prior to the Steel City, McCarthy was with the Dallas Cowboys from 2020 to 2024. Currently sitting at 2-4, Jerry Jones may feel inclined to sell in a relatively simple fashion come November's trade deadline. Because of this, The Ringer's Tom Pelissero recently connected two wide receivers to the Steelers because of the the head coach's potential preference, one of whom is with Dallas.
"Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin are the two guys with connections to Mike that are on rosters now and know his offense," Pelissero wrote. "But I haven't heard of anything advancing on either front. I do know the Steelers have been calling around on veteran receivers since the injuries last week and I'd imagine that continues with two WR now on IR."
Pittsburgh acquiring one of those players wouldn't necessarily be a franchise-altering move; however, an addition of either Jalen Tolbert or KaVontae Turpin might be effective. Someone like Turpin is especially intriguing. While the playmaker is currently week-to-week with an injury, he has the potential to give special teams a significant boost. The Steelers have not gotten any kind of legitimate firepower from fourth-round rookie Kaden Wetjen.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh Steelers return specialist and wide receiver Kaden Wetjen (10) runs with the football during a 2026 training camp practice as the team works out at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
It's important to note that Pelissero was not reporting on the fact that the Steelers are interested in either of these two pass-catchers. That doesn't mean, though, that Khan and McCarthy don't internally have a possible goal of going after one. The main issue with that is that neither one of McCarthy's former players has truly established themselves in 2026.
Tolbert and Turpin have both struggled to make significant contributions in the passing game for their respective teams. Through six games, Turpin has recorded just four receptions for 39 yards and zero touchdowns on seven targets with the Cowboys. As for Tolbert, he is with the Miami Dolphins, but has pretty much been a non-factor, hauling in just one pass for 22 yards in three games.
Turpin is the better option on the surface because of his returning capabilities. It would be a very quick end to the Wetjen experience; however, that may be necessary at this point.
Steelers Have The Ability To Make A Bigger Move
Pelissero's reporting may not excite fans, but it may be realistic. On the other end of things, Pittsburgh could be leaving Paris, France with a record of 5-2. If this were to happen, the playoffs, and a postseason run, are very much within reach. However, with the injuries to the receiving corps and struggles in the return game, Khan and McCarthy could go in several different directions when it comes to improving the roster prior to the November 10th trade deadline.
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