The Pittsburgh Steelers dismantled the Cleveland Browns 27-6 on Sunday and picked up a big divisional victory in the process. Pittsburgh’s offensive line quieted the Browns’ Jared Verse after what was a loud week from him, and the Steelers now head into their bye week at 6-2 atop the AFC North.

It’s hard to complain about a three-touchdown win over a division rival. Still, Sunday’s game made one thing clear: it’s time for Steelers general manager Omar Khan to make a trade for this offense.

The Steelers’ ground game is carrying the offense

For one, the offense and the offensive line had a phenomenal day. Running backs Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle continue to be the straw that stirs the drink, and Pittsburgh ran at will against Cleveland.

That’s the Steelers’ identity. They want to run the football, and they are doing it as well as anyone in the league right now. Tight end Darnell Washington also turned in a career day alongside the two backs.

But at some point, you’re going to have to drop back and pass. That’s especially true if the Steelers continue on this upward trajectory and find themselves in tight games against better opponents.

DK Metcalf and the passing game need help

Wide receiver DK Metcalf needs a bye week about as badly as anybody on the Steelers’ roster. He had a bad drop against the Browns on a ball that should have been a touchdown, and it ended up being an interception instead.

The truth is, beyond Metcalf and Germie Bernard, there are no answers in the downfield passing attack. There really haven’t been, despite this winning streak. Pittsburgh has been able to mask it by leaning on the run, but that won’t work every week, and we don’t know if, much less when, Roman Wilson and Michael Pittman Jr. will be back.

While everything looks good right now, the Steelers have some real opponents coming up after the bye. They’re going to need to be able to stretch the field vertically, and right now the personnel isn’t there to do it consistently. Aaron Rodgers completing 52 percent of his passes for 172 yards and an interception reflects that.

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Josh Downs is the answer on the trade block

There is one answer available, though. That would be Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs, who requested a trade from the Colts earlier in the week, and who the Steelers have interest in.

Downs played on Sunday and even caught a touchdown pass. But if you watched any of that game, or even saw the highlights, it was an ugly performance by Indianapolis. The Jacksonville Jaguars put it to them.

In my opinion, it’s a matter of when, not if, Downs gets traded after his request. And I believe Pittsburgh would be a perfect landing spot.

What would a Josh Downs trade cost the Steelers?

According to the A to Z Sports NFL trade simulator, the Steelers could send a fifth-round pick acquired from the Dallas Cowboys in the 2027 NFL draft to the Colts in exchange for Downs.

Trade details: – Steelers receive: WR Josh Downs – Colts receive: 2027 fifth-round pick (via Dallas Cowboys)

The deal barely leans toward the Steelers, but it’s darn near a fair trade per our simulator. For a team trying to make a real run, that’s a small price to pay.

How Downs would fit in Pittsburgh’s offense

Downs would give the Steelers a true slot element. You would have Bernard and Metcalf on the outside with Downs working in between them.

Suddenly, Pittsburgh would have a three-headed monster on the perimeter and in the middle of the field. Pair that with tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Washington, plus Dowdle and Warren running the ball at will, and this offense could do some real damage.

The Steelers have proven they can win by grinding opponents down on the ground. The question is whether they can win when a game forces them to throw. Right now, there just aren’t enough answers in the passing game, and that’s where making a play for a guy like Josh Downs would be smart.