The Pittsburgh Steelers are 5-2 and getting ready for another week of football against the Cleveland Browns, but there is another big day for the NFL community coming up. That day is the 2026 NFL Trade Deadline, which is approaching quickly. A lot of big trades have already gone down, but there is most likely still plenty to come as we approach the deadline. The Steelers may be 5-2, but there are still plenty of ways they can improve their roster at the trade deadline. With that being said, let’s look at who the Steelers should trade for and the impact they would have on the team.
Steelers Trade Targets: Players Pittsburgh Should Pursue
Josh Downs
The first player that comes to mind for the Steelers is Josh Downs. The North Carolina alum is just 25 years old and would give the Steelers another solid starting wide receiver next to DK Metcalf and Germie Bernard. Downs has 26 catches for 307 yards this season, and Downs may need a new scenery to fully unleash his potential.
The Steelers also need another wide receiver, and this move just makes too much sense for both sides. The Colts are more than likely to deal Downs and be a huge seller at the deadline, as they will also likely trade star running back Jonathan Taylor. It really comes down to how aggressive Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy gets, but Downs will likely be on the move, and the Steelers should make a move.
Chris Olave
The next player that comes to mind is another wide receiver, and that is Chris Olave from the New Orleans Saints. Olave has been linked to Pittsburgh in trade rumors multiple times in the past, and it is another deal that makes sense for both sides. For the Steelers, Olave has star potential and would be a very solid top-two option to throw to, considering all the injured wideouts the Steelers have.
Olave is a much better target than Downs in production terms, as he is the Saints’ go-to target. Olave has 49 catches for 636 yards and two touchdowns this season. Olave would give Aaron Rodgers a true wide receiver next to Metcalf, and the Steelers should go all in if they want to contend in the AFC North.
Any Starting Offensive Lineman
The biggest and most important position the Steelers could trade for is an offensive lineman. Rodgers has gotten pressured multiple times this season, and the offensive line has failed to block a lot. The Steelers have struggled to block for years, and it has negatively affected the offense.
They cannot go into the deadline quietly. If they are going to trade for a lineman, it needs to be an All-Pro or at least a solid starter, even if that means giving up a second-round pick or more. Rodgers may be a very experienced football player, but no team can survive and put a lot of points up on the board without an offensive line, and it seems like the Steelers’ offensive line has been below average for years.
The Last Word
The Steelers are 5-2 and are starting to heat up. However, for the Steelers to truly contend, they still need pieces offensively, and until they get those, they may not be a true contender in the AFC Conference. The Steelers are usually known for not making big-time moves at the trade deadline, but maybe it is time to change that in order for the Steelers to smell success. Do you think the Steelers will go all in at the trade deadline, or do you think they will remain quiet just like previous years?
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