Steelers Get Major AFC North Trade Deadline Update As Rivals Expected To Stand Pat

The Pittsburgh Steelers have completed their bye week and are now getting set to head into Cincinnati for Sunday Night Football against their division rival, the Cincinnati Bengals. Head Coach Mike McCarthy and his group enters the matchup at 6-2, just like their Week 10 opponent, but hold the tiebreaker over them thanks to a win earlier this season head-to-head. With the NFL trade deadline coming at 4:00 p.m. EST Tuesday, the Bengals and other AFC North teams are not expected to be in the headlines often. This comes following Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor speaking Monday.

According to WKRC-TV in Cincinnati, the franchise is expected to remain relatively quiet on Tuesday during the deadline after hearing from their head coach. This comes following a report from NFL insider Adam Schefter reporting that the Baltimore Ravens are not expected to move running back Derrick Henry. Should these reports be true, it would be huge news for the Steelers.

Taylor sat down for his recent press conference to discuss his team following a 34-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. During the media scrum, he was asked about the preparation ahead of Sunday night's divisional showdown. He was also asked about his thoughts surrounding the trade deadline and if injuries at cornerback could impact their deadline approach. His answer made it appear that not much is going to change in Cincinnati.

“No, we’re just focused on Pittsburgh right now,” Taylor said. “That’s our biggest focus.”

His comments could be huge news for quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his offense as they start preparing for the upcoming AFC North battle. Their offense, while improved so far in 2026, has still struggled at times this season, especially with wide receivers Roman Wilson and Michael Pittman Jr. injured. It will be interesting to see how the situation plays out at the position after McCarthy provided a positive update about it on Monday in his press conference in the Steel City. 

If Pittman is able to work his way back from Injured Reserve (IR), it would provide a much-needed boost to the offense. It would especially be a big help to Rodgers, as his primary targets have been DK Metcalf and rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard. The team has still been able to do a great job weathering the storm when it comes to injuries, as they entered their bye week on a four-game winning streak. Getting a reinforcement back at wide receiver in the form of Pittman could really help Rodgers exploit a banged-up Cincinnati secondary in a massive game.

Steelers Have A Huge Chance To Put A Stranglehold On The Division Race This Week

The Steelers have a chance to earn a season sweep of the Bengals provided that they come out on top in their contest Sunday night. The news from the press conference in Cincinnati comes as a big development especially considering Rodgers' ability throughout his career to pick defenses apart. One of the strongest parts to his game throughout his NFL career has been his ability to line up and read defenses at the line of scrimmage prior to snapping the ball. When you add in the Bengals having a banged up secondary and no plan to add help, this is one advantage in Pittsburgh's favor for the contest.

McCarthy's group did exactly what they set out to do in their four-game stretch before the bye week. Week by week, they found themselves on top to get to the four-game winning streak they are currently on and position themselves in a great spot for the playoffs this year. A win on Sunday would really have them in the driver's seat in terms of earning a higher seed in the playoffs. With the second half of their schedule bringing on tougher competition, this news from Cincinnati gives them one big advantage to keep their momentum rolling.

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