The Pittsburgh Steelers are being marked as one of the teams to watch as the NFL's trade deadline approaches after the league's Week 9 games. The deadline falls on the Tuesday between Week 9 and Week 10, and the Steelers happen to have a bye week in Week 9. That means the franchise might look to acquire someone this week as it would give any incoming player enough time to prepare for a Week 10 game. The position the Steelers have been reported to be looking into is wide receiver, with a few notable names around the league expected to be available.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy stands alongside General Manager Omar Khan as the two watch the team practice during 2026 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Brian Thomas Jr., Garrett Wilson, and Josh Downs are some of the names that have been loosely connected with the Steelers over the last week or so. The most realistic trade among that trio of wideouts is probably Downs, who would probably be the least expensive to acquire. It also helps that the Indianapolis Colts are the only team in the league that has really embraced the role of being a seller at the deadline. The franchise has already dealt two of its best players.
Downs is a shifty receiver that excels in the slot, and he is very good at getting separation against man coverage, which is exactly what the Steelers need. Other teams around the NFL are expected to be interested in him, and ESPN's Ben Solak believes he is a player that the Los Angeles Rams might show interest in. He predicted a trade would happen between the Colts and the Rams in a recent article.
"Colts trade wide receiver Josh Downs and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Rams for a 2028 third-round pick," Solak wrote. "My biggest hang-up in trading Downs to anyone is that he has to be protected from blocking responsibilities. But the Rams run so much 13 personnel that Downs can easily line up in isolation to the outside and stay out of the run concept."
The Rams may definitely be searching for a wide receiver right now due to the loss of Davante Adams, and Downs seems like the type of player that might excel in an offense like Sean McVay's. Solak's other point about Downs' blocking is something to note as well, as the Steelers do rely on their wide receivers to be active in the running game.
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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) breaks up a pass intended for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (2) in the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium.
DK Metcalf is praised for his blocking, and rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard has already been heard talking about how much pride he takes in his blocking. A receiver in Pittsburgh must have the willingness to block in the running game as well as the ability to block well, and that is something that Downs lacks. This, plus the price he might cost to acquire via trade, might make a trade seem out of the realm of possibility for the Steelers.
Steelers May Look To Make Less Of A Splash
Thomas and Wilson would be two of the flashier names to acquire, and Downs is a tier right below those two. The Steelers might look to acquire a receiver who is even less notable as the team is still waiting on Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson to return off of Injured Reserve (IR). A move that carries less risk might be something the Steelers would be more interested in. A receiver that has meaningful experience, can separate against man coverage, and is willing to block is something Pittsburgh would pursue. A player like Hollywood Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles might fit that mold, and he would be cheaper than any other name mentioned.
There is also a world where the Steelers do not make any moves at the deadline and just allow their current players to get healthy.
What do you think about the Steelers not being the best fit for Downs? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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