Steelers Are 1 Of Only 2 Playoff Contenders To Have Strong Advantage With Trade Deadline On The Horizon

The Pittsburgh Steelers will likely be involved in rumors when it comes to the NFL's 2024 trade deadline. Through seven games, the team is sitting at 5-2 and has a legitimate chance to compete for the AFC North title. The coming weeks will see plenty of speculation surrounding teams that are looking to get into the playoffs and compete for a Super Bowl championship. It will be interesting to see what General Manager Omar Khan does when it comes to the existing needs on the roster, but there's no doubt that a move, or multiple, will need to be made if a big run is possible.

A lot of talk related to the Steelers and the trade deadline has focused on the wide receiver position. This is an extremely fair assessment, as the team certainly needs another pass-catcher to step in so George Pickens has more one-on-one chances. A small piece to the puzzle that Pittsburgh could use to its advantage is the ability to acquire someone at the perfect time.

The Steelers will take on the New York Giants in Week 8 on Monday Night Football prior to a bye, and then will come one of the most brutal stretches that the team has had in recent memory. There will be six AFC North matchups in the final eight weeks of the regular season as well as contests against the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. Smushed in between is a much-needed bye week.

Right after the game clock hits zero in Week 8, Khan has an advantage that only one other general manager in the NFL does. Pittsburgh will square off against New York on the 28th of October, and then not play again until the 10th of November. That doesn't just give Khan an opportunity to work on one, or multiple deals, but also could potentially give any newly-acquired player time to settle in, with the deadline set to be November 5th.

Much has been made about the short end of the stick that the Steelers received in regards to the 2024 schedule. It definitely is a rough slate to end the year, but a small win is having the full week of the trade deadline to facilitate a deal without having any other distractions. The San Francisco 49ers are the only other franchise with a bye in Week 9, and also might need some help at the wide receiver position after Brandon Aiyuk's season-ending injury.

Khan has been unable to land an available pass-catcher via trade since sending Diontae Johnson away back in March. The inability of receivers to get open has been prevalent for the majority of the 2024 campaign, but hope was provided during a Week 7 victory over the New York Jets. Being one of only two teams to have a bye the week prior to the deadline could potentially have immense, and underrated, advantages.

The majority of the talk surrounding the Steelers and Khan in the coming weeks will be regarding a wide receiver acquisition, but it's easy to argue that additions at cornerback, safety and offensive line (for depth) could be necessary if the team wants to make a playoff run. Overall, it sets up nicely to have a timely break in play, as even Head Coach Mike Tomlin may have an extra minute or two on his hands to give his two cents regarding trade targets.

Steelers Seem Poised For Potential Playoff Run In 2024

While Pittsburgh hasn't been able to secure a postseason victory since the 2016 season, things may be turning around in 2024. The defense is top-notch and the offense has put up 30 points in back-to-back games. All the signs are pointing in the direction of a playoff berth, but the fan base wants much more than that. An acquisition at the trade deadline could make a big difference in the quest for a seventh Lombardi Trophy.

Do you think that the Steelers will have an advantage with a bye a week prior to the trade deadline? Let us know in the comments below!

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