Steelers' Mike McCarthy Was Likely The Driving Force Behind Quiet Deadline

The Pittsburgh Steelers came away from the NFL trade deadline without adding a receiver, and the debate over why has not stopped. General Manager Omar Khan has taken most of the heat, but former Steelers defensive lineman Chris Hoke believes fans are looking at the wrong person. In his view, Head Coach Mike McCarthy was the deciding factor, and the quiet deadline says a lot about how McCarthy feels about the team he already has.

Hoke shared his take during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan's Joe Starkey Show. He said the head coach would have driven a trade if he truly wanted one.

"If he wanted another guy, they would've gotten another guy. I think he's comfortable where they're at and where they're headed. I think that you would've heard something about McCarthy pushing for it," Hoke said.

Hoke pointed to McCarthy's press conference after the deadline. He said the coach came across as indifferent about not making a move, which told him McCarthy was never pushing hard for one.

Steelers Are Betting On Help From Within

The Steelers were linked to several receivers before the deadline, including Josh Downs, who ended up with the Kansas City Chiefs. SteelerNation covered how the Broderick Jones trade complicated the pursuit of Downs, and how one insider pointed to a critical injury factor in Khan's decision. Hoke's take adds another layer by putting McCarthy at the center of it.

His explanation also lines up with what the Steelers have been saying. Help is on the way at receiver without a trade. Ben Skowronek practiced fully this week, and Roman Wilson and Michael Pittman Jr. are working their way back from injured reserve. Wilson scored the Steelers' first touchdown in the 30-27 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3, and Pittman told reporters this week that he feels ready to return.

McCarthy has also been careful not to get ahead of himself with a 6-2 team. He spoke this week about how much he likes the direction of his roster, and he explained it in a way that matches Hoke's read, according to Steelers.com.

"We know where we are and I know who we are, and we're a team that can continue to improve, and that's exciting," McCarthy said.

There is a logic to that approach. The Steelers are on a four-game winning streak, the running game led by Jaylen Warren has been one of the best in the league, and tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington have combined for eight touchdowns. McCarthy has built an offense that does not depend on one receiver.

The players have not seemed bothered by the lack of a trade, either. Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward brushed off the deadline talk earlier this week, and Aaron Rodgers was honest about the quiet deadline without criticizing the front office. That suggests the locker room is on the same page as its head coach. A new option also emerged after the deadline when the Philadelphia Eagles released Hollywood Brown, but Mark Kaboly said on his Kaboly + Mack podcast that the Steelers have no interest in him. That fits Hoke's view that McCarthy is content with the group he has.

There is also a risk. DK Metcalf has struggled, the Steelers have not won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and teams like the Chiefs added talent for a postseason push. If the receivers coming back from injury do not deliver, McCarthy's comfort with the roster will be questioned all the way into January.

Hoke has been one of the more outspoken former players this season. Earlier this month, he pushed back on the idea that the Steelers were better off after trading cornerback Joey Porter Jr., arguing that four wins did not make a top cover corner expendable. His latest take is less critical, and it focuses on the head coach rather than the front office. For McCarthy, the key will be whether the returning receivers can give Rodgers reliable targets when defenses take away the run.

The first test comes Sunday night in Cincinnati, where the Steelers and Bengals will play for sole possession of first place in the AFC North. If McCarthy is right about his team, a win there would go a long way toward ending the deadline debate.

This story was produced with the help of AI and reviewed by SteelerNation editors.

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