The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the many teams around the NFL that are going to be watched closely with the league's trade deadline coming up after Week 9. The Steelers are expected to pursue some players from around the league, especially since the team is 5-2 through seven games and has some clear weaknesses on the roster. The secondary could probably use some help, as could the receiving corps on the other side of the ball. Depth pieces could be used in the trenches on either side, but the focus should be the skill positions.
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Pittsburgh Steelers’ Omar Khan looks on at Acrisure Stadium ahead of a 2026 preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.
Pittsburgh has been hit with the injury bug in 2026. The wide receiver position has arguably been affected the most by injuries as two projected starters have been placed on Injured Reserve (IR). Michael Pittman Jr. is dealing with a foot injury that could force him to miss more time than initially expected if he has to get surgery, while Roman Wilson was placed on IR with a finger issue. He won't be eligible to return until after Week 10, while Pittman would be eligible after the bye week -- but a return seems unlikely.
There are wide receivers around the league that may be available for trade. Some of the names that have been brought up the most include Brian Thomas Jr., Chris Godwin, and Josh Downs. However, one of Aaron Rodgers old targets could also be available. The New York Jets could look to sell, and Jason La Canfora has reported that some executives believe Garrett Wilson could be available.
"Doesn’t sound like they are trying to peddle former first-round WR Garrett Wilson, and this wouldn’t be a low-level trade like what Arizona got for recent first-round WR Marvin Harrison Jr.," La Canfora wrote. "It would take quality draft pick compensation, but one top exec whose team is looking for a pass catcher thinks Wilson can be had."
An executive who helps run a team that needs help at wide receiver believes Wilson could be traded for the right price, which means the wide receiver is probably going to be fairly expensive. That means quality draft picks would have to be given up, and the team is also taking a financial risk as Wilson is already signed to a lucrative contract.
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Steelers' Juanyeh Thomas attempts to make a tackle on Garrett Wilson during a road game against the New York Jets.
The Jets have shown that the franchise is not afraid to get rid of young talent. New York traded Sauce Gardner at the deadline during the 2025 season, and he was drafted in the same class as Wilson. Two first-round picks were included in the deal, and that is probably similar to the price the Jets would accept for Wilson. Now, it is clear and obvious that the Indianapolis Colts overpaid for Gardner, and it is hard to imagine any team offering up more than a first-round pick for Wilson.
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Has History With Garrett Wilson
Rodgers and Wilson played together during the quarterback's time with the Jets. They only played with one another for a single season, and the two connected on 106 passes for over 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns. The two's relationship had some tension towards the end of Rodgers' time in New York, but that doesn't mean the duo wouldn't want to play together again.
It is also fair to think that Wilson might want a change of scenery at this point in his career. Winning has not happened with the Jets, and the team is in a clear rebuild. It is easy to imagine another coaching change for the Jets after the 2026 season as well, which is probably something Wilson would like to avoid. Him wanting out of New York would not be a surprise.
A move like this would be incredibly risky from Pittsburgh, and it would likely mean the team moving on from either DK Metcalf or Pittman at some point in the near future.
What do you think about the Steelers potentially trying to trade for Wilson? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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