Steelers' Failure Of WR Trade Could Point To Confidence In Van Jefferson As WR2 With Russell Wilson As QB

The Pittsburgh Steelers have one glaring issue that's been evident all throughout the 2024 season, and that would be the lack of help at wide receiver behind George Pickens. The Steelers have been surrounded in trade rumors for multiple perennial wideouts this season, including Brandon Aiyuk, Davante Adams, and more recently, Cooper Kupp. Neither Aiyuk or Adams worked out for the Black and Gold, and it now seems that Kupp is no longer an option either. Van Jefferson caught his first touchdown pass of the season with Russell Wilson at quarterback in Week 7, which could point to the organization's confidence in him. 

As quarterback Justin Fields was under center for the Steelers for the first six weeks of the season, the passing offense clearly looked conservative and non-threatening. Whether it was the coaches' game planning or if Fields truly is a below-average passer, it became even more evident that Pittsburgh did not have a number two receiver behind Pickens.

Through Fields' six games and Wilson's only start, the Steelers have some of the worst receiving stats in the NFL. To not much of a surprise, Pickens is ninth in the NFL in yards with 474 on 31 catches. Pickens also got his first and only touchdown catch of the season in last week's win with Wilson as the starter. Only four other receivers on the roster have caught a pass this season, not including tight end Pat Freiermuth: Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Scotty Miller, and Brandon Johnson. 

Combined, those four receivers have 24 catches for 320 yards and two scores. The lack of production from the receivers is exactly why the fan base is so desperate for the team to make a trade for a proven pass catcher. However, after seeing Wilson as the team's starting quarterback, it's possible that they're completely fine with what they've got and are hoping Wilson can turn Jefferson into the solidified number two. Pickens told reporters on Friday that Jefferson has a lot more to offer to the team than what's been shown on film.

Jefferson has proven to be capable of being a valuable asset to an offense. As the Los Angeles Rams' number two receiver in 2021, Jefferson was targeted 89 times and caught 50 passes for over 800 yards and six touchdowns. Since then, Jefferson has struggled to recreate stats like those. It became clear in their Week 7 win that Wilson gives their receivers a better chance to make plays in the offense as opposed to Fields.

The Steelers are seemingly an effective wide receiver, along with Pickens, away from being a serious contender for not only the AFC, but for a shot at the Super Bowl. With Pittsburgh having one of the most dominant defenses they've had in years, the offense remains as the only obstacle. Even though the offense has greatly improved since 2023, it's still not commanding enough to take down the top teams in the league. If the team decides not to make a move on a wide receiver, then Jefferson (or Austin) is going to have to step up.

Steelers' Offensive Line Too Banged Up To Rely On The Run To Win Football Games

Behind the Baltimore Ravens, the Steelers have the second most rush attempts in the NFL with 235 in seven games. That's an average of over 33 rushes a game, and the league knows how much Pittsburgh wants to run the rock. Despite their high number of carries, the Steelers average the eighth lowest yards per carry with 4. A team like the Ravens, however, have the highest average of yards per carry with 6.2. Pittsburgh's reliance on the run game resulted in two ugly losses in which they played extremely conservative. 

Pittsburgh lost rookie Troy Fautanu and veteran James Daniels to season-ending injuries, who were two critical starters on the right side of the o-line. On top of that, rookie center Zach Frazier has been sidelined with an ankle injury. Although Frazier is working his way back to a return, Pittsburgh's front is just simply too banged up to rely on Najee Harris and the running game. 

Do you think Jefferson will emerge as the proven number two behind Pickens with Wilson under center? Or do the Steelers absolutely still need to make a trade? Let us know in the comments below.

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