Steelers weighed WR upgrades but protected valuable draft capital

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the NFL trade deadline looking for reinforcements at wide receiver, but ultimately chose to prioritize long-term flexibility over a short-term splash. 

Titans' commitment to Cam Ward helped keep Ridley off the trade market

Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN explained that the Pittsburgh Steelers were in the market to upgrade their wide receiver room. 

According to Graziano, Pittsburgh (6-2) was engaged in discussions with the Tennessee Titans regarding veteran receiver Calvin Ridley. The Steelers were actively searching for additional playmakers, but Tennessee remained committed to keeping its offensive core intact despite trading away key defensive pieces such as Jeffery Simmons and Amani Hooker.

The Titans' stance centered on second-year quarterback Cam Ward's development, according to Graziano. However, through seven games, Ridley has recorded just six receptions for 91 receiving yards. Ridley, 31, is under contract with the Titans through the 2027 season. 

Ridley is also still working his way back from the broken fibula he suffered in November 2025 against the Texans, an injury that may be contributing to a dip in both his explosiveness and overall production in the first half of the regular season. 

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler noted that a recent incident involving Ridley at Nashville International Airport caused some teams to hesitate, potentially complicating any discussions.

Leave the trades to Omar Khan: Mike McCarthy is focused on the Cincinnati Bengals

As Tuesday's 4 p.m. deadline approached, Steelers' HC Mike McCarthy said his focus remained on football, not roster maneuvering, while trusting the Steelers' front office to perform its "due diligence" on possible trades. 

"I spent a decade in my life as a head coach when I didn't even know when the trade deadline was," McCarthy said, via Brian Batko of the team website. "I just knew it was somewhere around the middle of the season. Yeah, it's part of it. It's different. I get it, everybody wants to improve their roster. I have great confidence in Omar [Khan] and Art [Rooney II], if there's something there, we'll do the right thing. But I think it's very important for me, as the head coach, to keep my eye on the target."

Pittsburgh's decision-makers reportedly appeared focused on protecting their remaining draft capital, a priority made even more important by the absence of a 2027 fourth-round pick. 

The Steelers still face uncertainty regarding their long-term answer at the quarterback position, as Aaron Rodgers is expected to retire following the 2026 season. Any future pursuit of a quarterback, whether it be through the NFL Draft, trade or free agency, would require significant draft capital and financial flexibility. 

The decision was also made easier by the expectation of reinforcements already on the way for Rodgers. Roman Wilson and Michael Pittman Jr. are both expected to return from injury, giving the Steelers additional weapons for the second half of the season without surrendering any valuable draft picks. 

Pittman has been slowed down by plantar fasciitis, and Wilson was put on IR in Week 5 after dislocating a finger in the first half vs. the Colts. 

The Steelers head to Paycor Stadium in Week 10 to face division rival Cincinnati (6-2).