The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently going through a critical week. It is their bye week, and the team made it to this point with a 6-2 record and the lead in the AFC North. Despite the impressive season for Pittsburgh so far, the organization is still looking to fill that void at wide receiver that was left when Diontae Johnson was traded away. General Manager Omar Khan did his best to land players like Brandon Aiyuk and Davante Adams, yet Pittsburgh still has the same guys on the roster that it had before the season kicked off.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan speaks to the media.
Pittsburgh's current receivers have improved as the season has went along, but it would be wise for the organization to bring in some external help. Week 9 is a crucial week when it comes to the trade deadline, which is on November 5th. The Steelers were a big factor in the league pushing the deadline back one week so teams could have a better idea of what they are before deciding to become sellers or buyers. Mike Florio wrote about the importance of the Week 9 slate in a recent article for Pro Football Talk.
"Delaying the deadline gives every team one more chance to bring into focus whether they should buy, sell, or stand pat." Florio wrote. "Look at the standings. If the Dolphins lose to Buffalo and fall to 2-6, maybe they should trade receiver Odell Beckham Jr. If they pull off the upset and move to 3-5, maybe they shouldn’t."
The Miami Dolphins were just being used as an example. If the Steelers wound up with Odell Beckham Jr. at the trade deadline, most fans would likely chalk that up to a failure. Nonetheless, these Week 9 games are important as teams around the league begin to learn more about their ceiling in the 2024 season.
Seth Wenig / Associated Press
Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton begins to run a route as New York plays a professional football game at home.
Steelers Will Be Paying Close Attention To 4 Teams In Week 9
The Steelers need help at wide receiver, and at this point they could use some more depth at the position as well. It doesn't need to be some big-name wideout like Aiyuk or Adams, but rather a productive veteran who could make an impact when needed. There are a couple places the Steelers will look.
New York Giants
Pittsburgh just took down the New York Giants, and the organization got to see firsthand what kind of an impact Darius Slayton could make. New York has the future of the position on their team with Malik Nabers, and Slayton is a guy who would probably like to experience a winning culture for once. New York is currently 2-6, and they will be taking on the Washington Commanders on Sunday. If they lose, they immediately become sellers. If they win, the group might just be delusional enough to think they have a chance to do something meaningful in 2024.
Slayton is a guy the Steelers have reportedly been interested in, and a loss for New York could be what brings the receiver to Pittsburgh.
Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams enter Week 9 with a record of 3-4, and they are currently in last place in the NFC West. They will be taking on a divisional opponent in the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, and a loss could make the Rams consider moving some pieces. They have gone on late-season runs before, but something about this year feels different. Los Angeles likely wouldn't move any super-important players, but a guy like DeMarcus Robinson is a name to watch. He is essentially buried in that wide receiver room, but has been productive.
Eric J. Adler / New England Patriots
Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne during a practice in New England during the 2024 season.
New England Patriots @ Tennessee Titans
These teams both don't have anywhere to go in 2024. It's pretty clear each organization is in rebuilding mode. The best outcome for the Steelers would be the Tennessee Titans beating the New England Patriots. If this were to happen the Patriots would fall to 2-7 and the Titans would be 2-6, those are records of two teams that should sell at the deadline.
Tennessee has what should be considered the high-end and unrealistic option at receiver in Calvin Ridley, but they also have Tyler Boyd, who could certainly happen be dealt. The Patriots' entire wide receiver group has seemed to be mentioned in trade talks, specifically Kendrick Bourne, KJ Osborn, and Tyquan Thornton.
Who will you be paying extra attention to in Week 9? Let us know in the comments below!
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