There will be a date and time in the near future when fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers no longer have to stress about whether General Manager Omar Khan acquires a new wide receiver or not. The team is sitting pretty with a record of 6-2, but there is plenty of work left to be done. The Steel City has been starving for a playoff win since the 2016 campaign, and bringing in a new pass-catcher could get the offense over the hump. The 2024 trade deadline will commence on November 5th, and Khan is expected to be active at some point.
It was reported recently that there are three names that Khan currently is eyeing up for a potential acquisition. No one is really sure at this point which reports hold weight and which don't, but it seems as if new information comes out daily. Mike Williams of the New York Jets hasn't necessarily been the most desired target, but his prior successes in the NFL and size make him an interesting prospect. Unfortunately, he may be off the market after a roster move in the Big Apple.
It's fair to mention that the Jets' playoff hopes are not necessarily alive, but teams need a formidable wide receiving corps to put a competent offense on the field. Allen Lazard has 30 catches for 412 yards and five touchdowns on the season, but will miss at least three games after an Injured Reserve (IR) designation. That may finally open the door for Williams, who is coming off a torn ACL, to prove that he is capable of a full workload.
The nature of Lazard's injury could absolutely put a damper in Pittsburgh's plans to trade for the veteran wideout. There isn't too much depth on New York's roster which could lead to Williams being a top target in the offense during Lazard's absence. The Steelers' offense needs extra help to boost George Pickens' play, but the status of Lazard could affect the trade market for Williams.
There will be other players that Khan and co. can look to trade for, but Williams is attractive due to his size and repertoire. An acquisition of the veteran would allow the Steelers to have yet another weapon in the red zone. There could be other pass-catchers throughout the league that help Pittsburgh, but the news out of New York could put a damper on the front office's plans if Williams was a top target.
It was reported in the summertime that the Steelers had interest in the former Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver; however, he never even had the chance to visit the Steel City after signing a big one-year contract with the Jets. In hindsight, New York made a mistake because of the value of the contract and his lack of involvement in the offense, but that doesn't mean he can't find a way to make a difference for a contender like the Steelers.
Steelers Are Likely On The Prowl For Wide Receiver
Fans in Pittsburgh have gotten excited time and time again throughout the 2024 offseason and into the regular season. No one is quite sure if the team will actually trade for a wide receiver, but there is certainly a need to improve the positional room. Lazard going on IR immediately opens up a window for Williams to prove himself in an offense led by a future Hall of Famer in Aaron Rodgers. On the flip side, a more likely playoff team like the Steelers might be better for a player like Williams.
