The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the teams that should be looking to acquire some talent at the NFL's trade deadline to further solidify the roster. There are going to be some good players that are available around the league as several teams have underperformed in comparison to expectations that were set going into the 2026 season. Teams are selling off decent players around the league, and the Steelers could take advantage of that as there are a few weaknesses on the roster that could be addressed. This includes the wide receiver position as well as some spots on the defense.
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Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan stands on the field and points off into the distance as the team participates in a 2026 training camp practice at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
The positions that have been most talked about when it comes to the Steelers adding at the trade deadline are wide receiver and safety, while cornerback and inside linebacker have also been speculated. The inside linebackers for the Steelers have played really well over the last several weeks, but it would be understandable if the team went out to pursue another player at the position. The Philadelphia Eagles have struggled this season and are extremely injured, so a player like Zack Baun could be available via trade.
Daniel Popper of The Athletic listed Baun as a trade candidate, and he named the Steelers as a team that would be a best fit for the former All-Pro linebacker.
"Baun, who turns 30 in December, remains one of the better off-ball linebackers in the league," Popper wrote. "There are several teams in need of linebacker help, and Baun would come at a cheap price because of how the Eagles structure contracts. He does not have any guaranteed money on his deal after this season. An acquiring team could view him as a rental and cut him in the offseason, before a $14.4 million option bonus is due Sept. 1. The Eagles have lost six in a row. GM Howie Roseman should be selling, and Baun is one of his more attractive pieces to shop."
It seems like a realistic possibility that Baun could be moved, and his contract would be easy to trade due to the fact that there is no guaranteed money on the deal past the season. If he was acquired, he would be signed through the 2027 season, but he could be cut due to the contract dynamics. However, Patrick Queen is scheduled to become a free agent during the 2027 offseason, so Baun could be a replacement for him in 2027.
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Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun (53) walks off the field after a loss to the Carolina Panthers at Lincoln Financial Field.
Popper also listed the Steelers as a good fit for some other new potential trade targets. The safety spot could be addressed, and Cam Bynum of the Indianapolis Colts was named by Popper. The Colts have already shown that the franchise is ready to move on from some players, so this seems like another realistic possibility. He would be signed through the 2028 season. Amani Hooker of the Tennessee Titans is another name to watch, and he is also signed through 2028. He is coming off a game in which he had three interceptions.
Steelers Could Pursue Veteran Wide Receiver
At wide receiver, the Steelers have been mentioned along with some notable names around the NFL. However, it is much more realistic that the organization ends up acquiring a lesser-known wide receiver. One that Popper mentioned was Joshua Palmer of the Buffalo Bills. Palmer can still be productive, but his involvement in the offense has decreased, and the Bills have a rookie wide receiver they may look to include more as the season goes on. The Steelers were the only team Popper mentioned as a fit for the veteran wide receiver.
Palmer would also be a cheap option for the Steelers to consider, which means there would be minimal risk in acquiring him.
What do you think of these names potentially being dealt to the Steelers? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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