The Pittsburgh Steelers picked up a win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, yet the postgame conversation centered on what went wrong for the offense. ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler hinted that the Steelers have been doing some snooping around the trade market. After watching Pittsburgh’s passing attack sputter against New Orleans, I think they are wise to do so.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn’t sugarcoat things after the game.

“Look, we were not good enough on offense.”

To me, that was a signal to Steelers general manager Omar Khan. It was also the truth. Outside of one big-time shot to DK Metcalf for 51 yards, the downfield passing game was nonexistent. It will stay that way unless the Steelers add someone, and there is a name they have been eyeing.

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Brian Thomas Jr. emerges as a Steelers trade target

Fowler mentioned one name that fits the bill: Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. According to Fowler, the Steelers are among the teams that have been snooping around and could be interested in adding Thomas before the November 10th NFL trade deadline.

Look at the receiving log from Sunday’s game. Backup running back Rico Dowdle led Pittsburgh in catches. Once you see that, Fowler’s report starts to make a lot more sense.

The Steelers need a vertical threat, and they don’t have one in that wide receiver room. That would still be true even if Roman Wilson and Michael Pittman Jr. were healthy. Metcalf can win downfield, but one 51-yard completion doesn’t make a passing game. Defenses can load up on him and dare anyone else to beat them over the top.

Thomas is a 24-year-old former Pro Bowler and a dynamic field-stretcher. He caught 87 balls for 1,282 yards and 10 TDs as a rookie before being phased out in Jacksonville. That is exactly the profile Pittsburgh is missing.

What a Brian Thomas Jr. trade could look like

So the immediate question becomes, what would it cost? I ran a deal through the trade simulator at A to Z Sports, and the price is far more reasonable than you might expect.

Steelers receive: – WR Brian Thomas Jr.

Jaguars receive: – 2027 fifth-round pick (via the Cowboys) – 2028 third-round pick

The simulator shows a slight advantage for Pittsburgh. Even so, I don’t know why the Jaguars wouldn’t make this trade. Thomas is simply not a part of their offense anymore. He doesn’t get targets, and he doesn’t play many snaps. When a former Pro Bowler sits on the sideline like that, his value to his current team is mostly theoretical.

For Jacksonville, a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick turn a player it isn’t using into future draft capital. For Pittsburgh, two mid-to-late picks buy a young receiver with the exact skill set it lacks. Both sides walk away with something they want.

Why the Steelers should pull the trigger

The Steelers keep winning in spite of their downfield passing attack, not because of it. We have seen that week after week, and it is unsustainable. Rodgers said as much after the Saints game, and the box score backed him up.

Let’s add it up. We have tangible evidence from Fowler that the Steelers are interested. We know what a deal could cost using the simulator. And we know Pittsburgh badly needs help at receiver.

I think it is only a matter of time before the Steelers add someone. In my opinion, that someone should be Brian Thomas Jr.