Steelers' Omar Khan Gets A Tempting Trade Alternative To A $58 Million Cornerback

The Pittsburgh Steelers are approaching Tuesday's trade deadline with a familiar dilemma. A cornerback might help their playoff push, but the wrong investment could follow them well beyond January. One potential addition comes with a contract that would make a general manager wince. Another offers a much easier escape route if things go sideways. A national analyst has made his choice, and his reasoning is worth Pittsburgh's attention.

CBS Sports analyst Garrett Podell prefers Riq Woolen, currently with the Philadelphia Eagles, over Alontae Taylor of the Tennessee Titans. The two cornerbacks offer different combinations of risk, price and experience. Pittsburgh could use depth after trading away Joey Porter Jr., but solving one problem shouldn't create a more expensive one.

Philadelphia dropped to 2-7 after Sunday's 19-11 loss to the New York Giants, its seventh straight defeat. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, sits at 6-2 with a chance to strengthen its secondary before the November 10 deadline. The Eagles have reason to consider moving a veteran on an expiring deal. That doesn't mean they're guaranteed to sell him, or that the Steelers have made an offer.

During a recent discussion, Podell explained why Woolen would top his list.

“I think Tariq Woolen would probably be the player I would target if I were Pittsburgh. I mean, he's a massive dude. He's like 6'4", 6'5". He co-led the NFL in interceptions his rookie year,” Podell said.

The measurements need a correction: Woolen is officially 6-foot-4, not 6-foot-5. His rookie production needs none. A fifth-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 2022, he intercepted six passes, tied for the league lead, and earned a Pro Bowl selection. He also ran a 4.26-second 40-yard dash at the combine. Cornerbacks with that combination of length and speed don't exactly grow on trees.

His history isn't spotless. Woolen went from starting regularly in Seattle to making just seven starts in 2025, although he helped the Seahawks win the Super Bowl. Philadelphia signed him this offseason to a one-year, $12 million contract with incentives that could raise the value to $15 million. He hasn't recorded an interception this season, and his coverage performances have been uneven.

Still, the physical fit is easy to understand. Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham could use another long outside corner who can contest throws and recover when a receiver threatens vertically. That would give the Steelers options when sending pressure, although Woolen's size won't compensate for missed assignments or inconsistent tackling.

The financial distinction makes Podell's preference particularly interesting. Woolen's remaining base salary is relatively manageable because much of his deal was structured through bonuses. He'd also become a free agent after the season. Pittsburgh could evaluate him over the stretch run without automatically inheriting an expensive long-term commitment, though the draft pick Philadelphia demands would still matter.

Taylor presents the opposite equation. Tennessee gave him a three-year, $58 million contract with $42 million guaranteed in March. His 2027 base salary is approximately $20.5 million, guaranteed under his existing deal. That's a considerable obligation for a player who hasn't settled into the role the Titans envisioned.

The coaching staff made Taylor inactive against Indianapolis on October 18 despite no reported injury. He dressed the following week but didn't play a defensive snap. Tennessee has since worked on getting him back into a nickel role after his struggles outside, and he returned to action. Calling him permanently benched would be misleading, but the early-season reset is hard to ignore.

Podell questioned whether a team should assume that expensive contract while the fit remains unsettled.

“I don't know if I'd want to trade for Alontae Taylor just because of the contract. The Titans invested heavily in him in free agency,” Podell said.

Taylor was productive inside with the New Orleans Saints, so his struggles on Tennessee's boundary don't erase his abilities. But Pittsburgh already has Jamel Dean and Asante Samuel Jr. taking significant snaps, with rookie Daylen Everette still developing. Paying heavily to add another player whose best role might be inside is different from acquiring an outside specialist on a short-term audition.

There's a reason to slow down on Woolen, too. He isn't the same ballhawk who intercepted six passes in 2022, and opposing offenses have found success challenging him. A Super Bowl ring and a spectacular combine time don't guarantee dependable coverage in November. Pittsburgh has to judge the current player, not assemble a deal around the most flattering clips from four seasons ago.

An update on Pittsburgh's trade priorities indicates that General Manager Omar Khan is exploring cornerback help alongside receiver. That's a reason to examine possible targets, not evidence that either team has received an offer.

Steelers Need The Right Price More Than Another Big Name

Podell's preference is persuasive if the acquisition costs are reasonable. Woolen offers an outside skill set and a shorter financial commitment; Taylor's existing deal demands a much stronger conviction about his future role. For a club hoping to compete now without mortgaging its next offseason, that distinction is substantial.

But a rental can become expensive in a hurry if Philadelphia asks for a valuable pick. The Steelers also can't afford to upset a secondary that's improved just to make a deadline-day announcement. Whoever arrives must be able to handle Graham's coverage rules quickly enough to help, not spend the rest of November learning where to stand.

Khan should be willing to call about Woolen and just as willing to walk away. The point of adding a cornerback is to make Pittsburgh harder to beat in January. Paying the wrong price would leave the Steelers with a more complicated problem when the season ends.

#SteelerNation