The Pittsburgh Steelers made a serious push to acquire San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk this offseason. Several reports indicated the Steelers were close to landing Aiyuk, but ultimately, no deal materialized, and he remained in San Francisco.
Concerns about the Steelers' wide receiver group have been mounting, especially after trading away Diontae Johnson. While George Pickens is expected to lead the receiving corps, there is a significant drop-off in talent behind him. This has led many to speculate that Pittsburgh would need to look outside the organization for additional help at wide receiver.
With the 2024 season set to kick off Thursday, the available free agents likely won’t provide much of a boost for Pittsburgh. However, thanks to their newly created cap space, the Steelers are in a unique position to make a major in-season trade to strengthen their wide receiver room.
The Steelers took a significant step on Tuesday by restructuring the contract of their long-time leader, Cam Heyward, saving $9 million in cap space, according to Gerry Dulac. With this move, the Steelers now reportedly have between $16-17 million in available cap space.
As the 2024 season kicks off, both the team and its fans are hoping for a stronger offensive showing. However, concerns remain at wide receiver, making it likely that Pittsburgh could be in the market for help during the season, especially if they start off strong as expected.
If the Steelers get off to a fast start, don’t be surprised if General Manager Omar Khan and Assistant GM Andy Weidl take an aggressive approach. The organization understands the urgency of the moment.
With an aging roster and a stacked defense, the Steelers have playmakers on that side of the ball but haven't seen much postseason success. Now is the time for the Steelers to get aggressive and make a splash to maximize their roster's potential. They’re in win-now mode, and Khan has shown his willingness to make bold moves this offseason.
Steelers' 3 Possible Wide Receiver Targets To Consider For An In-Season Trade
The Steelers could theoretically explore trade options with every team and wide receiver in the league, but let's focus on three realistic targets that could make sense for them.
The first name that comes to mind is Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders. Adams has been one of the top wide receivers in the NFL for several seasons, but could become disgruntled with his situation in Las Vegas, and at 31, he's not getting any younger. If the Raiders struggle, it’s possible that Khan could explore a blockbuster trade to bring Adams to Pittsburgh.
Another intriguing option is Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin. Known for his consistency, Godwin could be available since Tampa already has Mike Evans and drafted rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan. With the Buccaneers extending both Evans and quarterback Baker Mayfield, they may be looking to free up cap space, making Godwin a potential trade target.
The Steelers could also consider DeAndre Hopkins as a trade target. Despite dealing with inconsistent quarterback play for much of his career, Hopkins has built an outstanding resume. However, at 32, he’s not getting any younger, and the Tennessee Titans seem to be in rebuild mode with young quarterback Will Levis. Hopkins likely won’t be part of their long-term plans, making him a potential option for Khan and the Steelers.
While the possibilities are endless, there are clear options for Pittsburgh if they get off to an exciting start and Russell Wilson plays well. Don’t underestimate Khan and the organization’s willingness to make bold moves. Times have changed for the Steelers, and they are eager to revamp their offense. With extra cap space available, anything is possible.
