NFL trade deadline: Adam Schefter reveals expectations for Pittsburgh Steelers

With just a few hours left before the trade deadline, ESPN’s Adam Schefter still expects the Pittsburgh Steelers to be in the market for a wide receiver.

Schefter discussed the Steelers’ plans at the deadline while on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ earlier this morning. With how Pittsburgh has been shopping for a wideout since before the season, he thinks they’ll continue to look for a deal for one over this afternoon. It’s just a matter of which one and what that trade would look like.

“Well, they’ve been calling around on receivers since training camp. So, this is, if you’re going to trade for one? This is your final call – ‘Last call to trade for a wide receiver! Right now! Three hours and 42 minutes!’. Like, that’s what we got,” said Schefter. “They’ve been trying to get a trade done since this summer. Look, there was Brandon Aiyuk at some point this summer. There was conversations with Jacksonville about Christian Kirk. That was in the process of happening until he broke his collarbone and then couldn’t get done.”

“So, they’re calling on these guys. The question is what is the value? What are they prepared to give up? Does the guy fit into their system?” Schefter said.

Among the options that they discussed in the segment, Adam Thielen, Darius Slayton, and Mike Williams all came up.

Pittsburgh actually has one of their better offenses of this decade through their start at 6-2 overall as they’ve averaged 23.4 ppg. on 328.1 yards. However, as part of that, George Pickens has been the only receiver with a real consistent impact on the passing game. Pickens has 35 receptions for 548 yards, good for 65.8 per game, and a touchdown. That yardage with his catches and targets are all over double the next receivers in their corps in Calvin Austin III and Van Jefferson.

The pass attack has become even more important too with Russell Wilson taking over as the starting quarterback over their last two before their bye. In his pair of outings, Wilson is 36-57 (63.2%) for 542 yards and three touchdowns.

Pittsburgh has a few hours left to possibly acquire an additional receiver. Schefter thinks they should too with where they find themselves at the halfway point through their season.

“I have thought all along that they would find a way to get a wide receiver, especially with the Steelers playing as well as they are,” said Schefter.