Pittsburgh Steelers GM Omar Khan suddenly has 3 clear wide receiver targets ahead of the 2025 NFL trade deadline
Here are the names that make the most sense in Pittsburgh.
When watching the Thursday Night Football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals, it was clear that the defense in Pittsburgh came away as the big loser. But that’s all in the micro. Short week, Joe Flacco, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins, you could see that one coming from a mile away.
And the offense did its job for the most part, scoring 31 points and giving the team the lead before asking the assumed to be all-world Steelers defense to win the game. But if you noticed, DK Metcalf was relatively quiet, recording three catches for 50 yards and snapping his four-game TD streak.
The resurgence of Pat Freiermuth was a good sign, but the Steelers’ second leading WR was Roman Wilson, who had two catches for 17 yards in his first start. So, between the reports from ESPN that the Steelers will be shopping at WR, and the obvious need, I spoke with three writers from A to Z Sports, who cover teams that could be separating with a key pass catcher.
Best scheme fit: Jauan Jennings
We’ll start with the player who fits what Arthur Smith does best. That would be San Francisco 49ers WR Jauan Jennings. A chain-moving route runner who is always there on third down and serves as a plus one in the run game, I spoke with Kyle Crabbs of A to Z Sports NFL to assess Jennings and the trade rumors.
“Jauan Jennings hasn’t enjoyed the kind of season that he’d likely hoped after putting San Francisco’s feet to the fire in hopes of a new contract with the team this summer. Jennings was a productive, featured piece for the 49ers in 2024 amid injuries, coming up just short of 1,000 receiving yards in the first year of a two-year extension. Now, Jennings is playing through injury after requesting a trade after the 49ers stiff-armed his extension efforts and trade request.
“The 49ers are in the midst of a roster transition, and extending Jennings on a new contract to stay with the team long-term may not be in the cards, which makes the emergence of several other pass-catching targets for the team notable. Would they be incentivized to move him and get something for him before he walks in free agency? That’s a question worth asking as the trade deadline looms.”
– Crabbs
Most likely option: Jakobi Meyers
Las Vegas WR Jakobi Meyers is on an expiring deal, requested a trade over the summer, and is on one of the worst teams in football, evidenced by the 31-0 shellacking the Kansas City Chiefs put on the Raiders on Sunday.
He is an easy button for quarterbacks and would create natural separation within the Steelers offense. The chatter continues to grow around Meyers being moved, so I spoke with Justin Churchill of A to Z Sports Las Vegas.
“The Las Vegas Raiders are clearly not a team in a position to compete anytime soon, like Pete Carroll said they would in the offseason. This is a bad team, possibly just as bad, or even worse, than last season, which won just four games. So why would Las Vegas be willing to give Jakobi Meyers a contract extension when this new regime is heading in a different direction?
“They should be willing to trade him with the emergence of Tre Tucker this season, and the fact that they drafted Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech. They will want to develop those guys and build the passing game around them and Bowers, of course. Getting something in return for Meyers before he walks this offseason would be a good idea.” – Churchill
Biggest splash: Chris Olave
Chris Olave is the biggest name on this list, offers the highest ceiling, and is also the youngest player of the three. But that all means he’s going to cost the most. Olave put up five for 98 and two touchdowns against the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
He had his fifth-year option picked up last offseason, and he will want a new deal. That means the Steelers and Omar Khan will need to be willing to part with valuable draft capital. I asked Adam Holt of A to Z Sports New Orleans what to make of the talks surrounding Olave.
“Personally love the Steelers fit for Olave. His playing alongside Metcalf and the talent at tight end for Aaron Rodgers’ passing game would make a ton of sense. The Saints’ WR wouldn’t be expected to be the clear top receiver on his team without other depth and body types. Olave’s best aspects to his game revolve around understanding space and taking advantage of his route running. While he has a smaller frame than some, he did bulk up this past offseason and has played through contact a bit more often this season.
“Drops and miscommunications have been a problem early this season at times, though. Olave had two drops in Week 6, and there have been some inconsistency issues jumping onto the radar, even though he has remained healthy. Making a trade for Olave also involves a health risk due to his concussion history. That’s concerning, and one more concussion in his pro career could seriously affect the long-term outlook of his time on the field.
“Regardless, if the Saints move Olave, Pittsburgh should (and probably would) be a top suitor. He’s a smart player who could create a strong connection with Aaron Rodgers rather quickly.” – Holt
Final takeaways
The Steelers should be all over these three and any other possible candidates that pop up over the next two weeks. Olave would be my favorite, but I’m not sure Khan and the Steelers will be willing to meet the Saints’ demands.
Time will tell which way they go.
Pittsburgh Steelers News
Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers uses the media to send a message to the rest of the locker room following loss to the Bengals
Aaron Rodgers has a clear direction he’s taking going forward.
