Steelers Insider Points To Critical Injury Factor In Omar Khan's Deadline Decision

The Pittsburgh Steelers spent weeks searching for potential help at wide receiver before ultimately allowing the NFL trade deadline to pass without making a move. Fans naturally directed much of their frustration toward the front office, especially considering the team's opportunity to compete for a championship this season. However, one longtime Steelers insider believes the organization's medical staff may have played a bigger role in that decision than people realize.

Steelers insider Jim Wexell believes General Manager Omar Khan and Head Coach Mike McCarthy likely worked through the team's receiving needs while considering the recovery timelines of Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson.

During a recent discussion, Wexell offered his interpretation of how those conversations may have unfolded behind closed doors.

“Here's how it works. Omar asks the coach, ‘What do you need?’ Coach says, ‘I need a man-beating wide receiver.’ And then they have the medical guy. And they ask the medical guy, ‘When's our receivers coming back?’” Wexell said.

Wexell wasn't claiming to have personally witnessed that conversation. He was explaining how the different departments within Pittsburgh's organization could have collectively influenced Khan's approach to the deadline.

The need for a receiver capable of consistently beating man coverage certainly existed. According to NFL.com, Pittsburgh had faced more man coverage than any other offense through eight weeks, ranking 29th in total expected points added against it. Opposing defenses recognized that the Steelers' receivers were struggling to consistently create separation, and they weren't particularly interested in changing their approach until Pittsburgh made them.

However, addressing that problem through a trade becomes a different conversation if the coaching staff believes two potential solutions are already in the building. Wexell suggested encouraging medical updates could have influenced McCarthy's willingness to pay a premium for another receiver.

“We'll get those guys back soon. Pittman's close. And McCarthy says, ‘Okay, so Omar, don't overspend on this,’” Wexell said.

Pittman was Pittsburgh's biggest receiving acquisition of the offseason. The Steelers acquired him from the Indianapolis Colts in March before signing him to a new three-year contract reportedly worth $59 million. Unfortunately, a foot injury has limited him to seven receptions for 89 yards across three appearances.

His production in Indianapolis explains why Pittsburgh remains optimistic. Pittman recorded 485 receptions for 5,254 yards and 25 touchdowns during his six seasons with the Colts, including two campaigns with more than 1,000 receiving yards.

Wilson was also beginning to establish himself before suffering a finger injury against Indianapolis in October. He recorded six receptions for 134 yards and two touchdowns over his previous two games.

Getting both receivers back would significantly change the options available to Aaron Rodgers. It could also allow rookie Germie Bernard to settle into a more manageable role while giving defenses another reason to hesitate before devoting additional attention to DK Metcalf.

Wexell also pushed back against the idea that Khan alone should shoulder responsibility for Pittsburgh's inactivity.

“Omar doesn't judge the talent. He goes to his talent judges and Omar makes the deal. He's good at talking and making deals and getting value. And, you know, he just didn't find it again. And Pittman, if Pittman comes back, he's better than anyone else out there,” Wexell said.

Pittsburgh reportedly explored several receiving options before Tuesday's deadline, but none materialized at a price the organization was willing to pay. McCarthy's comments before the deadline also indicated that he was encouraged by Pittman's rehabilitation progress, although he cautioned against directly connecting the injury situation to every potential trade decision.

The concern is that Pittman hasn't returned to practice yet, despite becoming eligible to come off injured reserve this week. Wilson isn't eligible until after Sunday's matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Neither receiver has a confirmed return date.

Steelers Are Counting On An Offseason Investment To Finally Pay Off

Khan's decision becomes much easier to defend if Pittman returns healthy and resembles the receiver Pittsburgh acquired in March. The Steelers would essentially be adding an established veteran to their lineup without sacrificing any additional draft capital.

Still, expecting Pittman to completely solve Pittsburgh's struggles against man coverage might be overly optimistic. His physicality and dependable hands should help, but he isn't necessarily the explosive separator the offense has been missing. McCarthy will still have to create favorable opportunities through formations, motion and route combinations.

The Steelers have nine regular-season games remaining, and Rodgers isn't getting another season to develop chemistry with this group. Pittsburgh's medical optimism may have helped justify standing pat at the deadline, but the organization needs that optimism to translate into actual production.

Khan already made a substantial investment in Pittman. Now Pittsburgh needs to see what it bought.

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