The Pittsburgh Steelers have been the major talking point in a ton of exciting offseason debates. The Kenny Pickett drama right after the 2023 season ended, whether Justin Fields or Russell Wilson should get the starting nod, and obviously the Brandon Aiyuk trade saga, have all been hot topics. The Aiyuk situation has taken a few years off of many Steelers fans' lives, but hopefully it will be ending soon as the regular season quickly approaches. If it doesn't go Pittsburgh's way and Aiyuk re-signs with the San Francisco 49ers, General Manager Omar Khan will have other options.
As Week 1 gets closer, it becomes more likely that Pittsburgh will be heading into the 2024 season with their wide receiver room the way it currently looks. There may be an addition after cut down day happens across the league, but that wouldn't compare to the big move of landing Aiyuk. As the regular season goes on and certain teams begin to struggle, NFL fans may see more high-caliber receivers hitting the trade block. Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team recently reported that if the Las Vegas Raiders don't get off to a hot start, Davante Adams could be a name to look out for.
"If this team [Raiders] does start off poorly, and at the trade deadline in November, they're out of it - I think Davante Adams is going to be a trade candidate come then. And, whether it's the Jets, or another team looking for a receiver. And there will be teams looking for receiver help, I think Davante Adams will become an attractive player. Again, if the Raiders are out of it."
Meirov cited that possible reasons for Adams eventually wanting out of Las Vegas would be the quarterback play and the overall team struggling, Also, his cap numbers in 2025 and 2026 are extremely inflated by his non-guaranteed salary. He has a non-guaranteed salary of $35.6 million in each of those two seasons. That's money he will likely never see, especially if the Raiders don't have a season that inspires a lot of hope moving forward.
By the time the trade deadline rolls around, which is on November 5th (right after Pittsburgh's bye week), there is a good chance Khan will be looking for help at receiver. The Steelers play the hardest part of their schedule in the second half of the year, and there is a good chance guys like Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III flame out at some point during the regular season. They have both had great camps, but that doesn't always translate to regular season success.
A trade for Adams at that point in the season may not be too expensive in terms of trade compensation, mainly due to his salary during the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Pittsburgh would still need to give up some valuable assets, but probably not nearly as much as one might think for a perennial All-Pro.
Steelers Could Play A Part In The Raiders' Demise
Las Vegas looking to deal Adams would only happen if they clearly have no chance of making the postseason. Teams usually have a good idea of this around midseason, and the trade deadline is on the Tuesday after Week 9 games thanks to an amendment proposed by Pittsburgh. Las Vegas will have played nine games at that point, including one against the Steelers.
They have a relatively difficult schedule that could easily have them sitting with six or seven losses ahead of the deadline. Aside from the Steelers, they take on the Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, and Cincinnati Bengals.
That's three difficult divisional games, six games against teams that made the playoffs in 2023, and the Bengals, who should be healthy and one of the top teams in the AFC again. Pittsburgh should be able to get Adams at the deadline if they feel the need is there.
