Steelers May Be Taking A Massive Risk Heading Into The NFL's Trade Deadline

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be forced to make a few important decisions before the team takes the field for its next game. Before then is the NFL's trade deadline on November 10th, which is Tuesday. The Steelers are a team that is viewed as a contender currently, but it would be understandable if General Manager Omar Khan went out and tried to shore up a few areas of the roster. Wide receiver has been an area of concern, and the secondary could probably use some more reliable depth at both cornerback and safety. However, the two main priorities should be wide receiver and cornerback.

The Steelers are not the only team that is going to be looking to potentially bring in some more talent before the deadline comes and goes. Other teams that are in the race within their own divisions will probably be looking around the NFL for help, and there are a few teams that have similar needs to Pittsburgh. One of those teams is the Kansas City Chiefs, who could certainly use another wide receiver.

The deadline could get expensive as bidding wars could occur, but sometimes that is necessary when it comes to teams taking the next step towards becoming a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Beat writer Mike DeFabo wrote about the trade deadline in a recent article for The Athletic, and he believes the Steelers could be at risk of getting left in the dust if no moves are made.

"All of the competitive teams are going to be participating in what Mike Tomlin used to call the midseason 'arms race,'" DeFabo wrote. "The Bears already spent two first-round picks to acquire All-Pro Jeffery Simmons. Other contenders are going to be making similarly splashy moves in the coming days. If the Steelers think they belong with the contenders, they need to join that arms race or risk being left behind."

As of right now, the AFC seems relatively wide open. However, that might not be the case if some of the teams near the top of the conference standings make some moves. The Denver Broncos have reportedly been interested in Jonathan Taylor, and the Chiefs like Brian Thomas Jr. Those moves could give those teams the boost they need entering the second half of the season and the playoffs. If the Steelers stay put and moves like that occur, that is how Pittsburgh gets left in the dust.

This team feels different from the past couple of seasons. The offense has been relatively consistent and productive, and the defense is looking better than it has the entire decade. There is legitimate hope and optimism in Pittsburgh, and bringing in another quality player would only boost that.

Steelers Need To Get Another Weapon For The Offense

With the injuries the Steelers are dealing with on the offensive side of the ball at wide receiver, the front office needs to make finding another weapon for the offense before the deadline a priority. The Steelers currently have no depth at wide receiver, and the starting group has been pretty shaky as well. Someone that can come in and be a contributor right away is absolutely necessary if this team wants to be taken seriously moving forward. The schedule only gets harder from here, and it is going to take more than a subpar passing game to really make a run in the AFC.

What do you think about this comment from DeFabo about the Steelers being left in the dust? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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