Steelers Hit With Stunning Label As Potential Trade Deadline Sellers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the middle of their bye week, but the news around the team is still pretty busy thanks to the fact that the NFL's trade deadline is under a week away. With the Steelers sitting at 6-2 and in first place in the AFC North, it seems clear that if the organization were to make any moves at the deadline it would be acquiring talent. There are weaknesses on the roster that should be addressed if the team wants to be taken seriously throughout the second half of the season and potentially into the playoffs, and there is speculation that could happen.

The Steelers are a team that should be looking to add at wide receiver, cornerback, safety, and probably some other surprise positions. They are clearly a team that most believe should be labeled as a "buyer" heading into the deadline, but there are a few people who do not share that same sentiment. Some fans believe this team is no different from the versions of the Steelers that have made the playoffs in recent years. 

NFL insider Albert Breer is taking a level approach to the Steelers, and he views the Steelers as a team that could be both a buyer and a seller at the deadline. In one of his recent articles for SI, he noted that Pittsburgh and the New England Patriots could be teams that bring in players and send some away.

"Then there’s the Steelers, who, again, are sniffing around at receiver, and could deal veteran LB Cole Holcomb," Breer wrote.

Holcomb is the only clear trade candidate on the roster that isn't necessarily contributing on game days. He plays on special teams and he has seen the field occasionally on defense, but nothing too crazy. The only other player in a depth role right now that could be dealt is backup quarterback Mason Rudolph, but that seems much less realistic than a Holcomb trade.

Breer noted that the Steelers are sniffing around the wide receiver market, which is no secret. However, Pittsburgh would probably rather take a less risky approach when it comes to bringing in another receiver. Sending away a ton of capital for a big name might be too risky for the organization to swallow. A player like Josh Palmer of the Buffalo Bills could be a possibility, and the Bills just so happen to be a team that could use some help at inside linebacker. One for one deals involving players are extremely rare in the NFL, especially at the deadline, but this seems like one that could help everyone involved.

Steelers Need To See If This Is Something The Bills Would Be Interested In

The main conflict with this proposed trade is that both the Bills and the Steelers have proven that they belong near the top of the AFC standings, so helping one another out in an area of weakness might be a hard decision to make. However, it is worth a conversation.

Palmer has a good amount of experience in the NFL, but he has only played 31 percent of the offensive snaps in Buffalo in 2026. That includes just seven snaps in the team's last game. He could be dealt, and the Steelers would use him more than the Bills are. The same could be said about the Bills with Holcomb.

What do you think about potentially trading Holcomb? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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