Steelers WRs prove trading for another playmaker is a luxury, not a necessity

The Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) have been subject to trade talks all season, as many believe they have a clear void at wide receiver.

That didn't seem to be the case on Monday night, though, as the Steelers had three wide receivers eclipse 50-plus receiving yards in their 26-18 win over the New York Giants.

George Pickens, of course, led the room with four catches for 74 yards. However, Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III also had big nights, combining for seven catches for 116 yards and a touchdown.

That's why they're still not listening to the trade chatter with the Nov. 5 deadline nearing.

"Since OTAs, since training camp, each individual player, receiver, we feel how we feel," Austin said. "We're all competitors. We gonna always bank on us, regardless."

Austin was arguably Pittsburgh's biggest difference-maker in the game. He not only reeled in a 29-yard receiving touchdown but also returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown.

Jefferson knew his time was coming and is confident he'll continue stacking similar performances.

"Calvin is deserving of that moment. He deserves all the success," Jefferson said. "He just wants to play ball, just eager to impact the team. I'm just so proud of him, man. He deserves it. I know he's going to continue to build off this."

If Austin can do just that, the Steelers won't necessarily need to add another wide receiver, but that's a big "if" and why the team must still reassess the state of the room heading into its Week 9 bye.

Tight end Pat Freiermuth can see all of Pittsburgh's playmakers strengthening their rapport with veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, who made his second start of the season on Monday night.

"Russ is trusting them to go down the field and make plays," Freiermuth said. "We gotta continue to keep going, obviously. Take the bye week and assess things."

Only time will tell whether the Steelers will add to their wide receiver room, but if they choose to do so, it could come in the form of a player they faced Monday night.

Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton had his way for much of the night with a team-leading 108 receiving yards on four catches.

If Pittsburgh likes what it saw from him close up, it could try to pry him away from 2-6 New York.

Either way, Freiermuth, like many others in the Steelers locker room, is confident in the state of the offense following another strong showing.

"We're a young offense and we're growing still," Freiermuth added. "It's helpful to have Russ in there to guide us through that. We'll be alright."

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.