The Pittsburgh Steelers have been in the market for a wide receiver ever since they decided to trade away Diontae Johnson in the 2024 offseason. The Steelers had initially set their sights on landing San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, but that deal fell through at the last minute.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Steelers' Omar Khan speaks to members of the Pittsburgh media.
General Manager Omar Khan has come close to securing a reliable and productive complement to George Pickens, but as of now, he hasn’t been able to finalize any trades. With the trade deadline set for Tuesday at 4 PM ET, the Steelers are running out of time to make a move.
The Dallas Cowboys made waves on Tuesday morning by trading a 2025 4th-round pick for wide receiver Jonathan Mingo. The addition of Mingo to Dallas' roster raises questions about their plans for other receivers on the depth chart, including Jalen Tolbert.
Panthers to trade WR Jonathan Mingo & 2025 7th-round draft pick to Cowboys for 2025 4th-round pick. (via @TomPelissero, @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/UhvKXIfEo3
— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2024
The Steelers may see this shift as an opportunity, as Tolbert could improve the wide receiver room. Khan and the front office might be interested in reaching out to the Cowboys to see if they would be willing to shop Tolbert.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert makes a game winning catch against the Steelers.
This move by the Cowboys raised quite a few eyebrows. Jerry Jones and his team have faced a tough season, and things worsened on Sunday when star quarterback Dak Prescott suffered an injury that is likely to sideline him for an extended period. Now, with Cooper Rush stepping in as the starter, the Cowboys find themselves at 3-5, with their playoff hopes dimming rapidly.
If the Steelers could pull off a cost-effective trade to bring Tolbert to Pittsburgh, it would be a solid upgrade. Tolbert has shown potential this season, with 30 receptions for 353 yards and three touchdowns. While adding him wouldn’t have the same impact as acquiring a top-tier receiver, he would still bring much-needed depth and playmaking ability, especially at this critical point in the season.
Tolbert could complement Pickens well, joining improved targets like Calvin Austin III and Van Jefferson to give the Steelers a more complete receiving corps. It’ll be interesting to see how the Cowboys plan to handle their roster now; while adding Mingo could suggest they’re ready to move Tolbert, it’s also possible they view him as an essential piece going forward. Either way, the Steelers will be watching closely.
Steelers' Omar Khan May Need To Get Desperate
The Steelers have been looking to add a wide receiver but haven’t been in a rush to make a deal. Now, with the trade deadline looming, it's time for Pittsburgh to act with urgency. As the Cowboys’ season spirals, Steeler Nation is hopeful that Dallas might shift to a selling mindset, making Tolbert potentially available.
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Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones stares off into the distance on a field prior to a professional football game.
However, it doesn’t look like the Cowboys are ready to throw in the towel just yet. Jones’ trade for Mingo suggests he still sees his team as capable of turning things around. Steelers fans will be watching closely, keeping an eye not only on the Cowboys but also on other teams as they hope Pittsburgh secures some much-needed wide receiver help.
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