The Pittsburgh Steelers, along with the rest of the NFL, frantically scrambled to complete any last-minute trades before the 4:00 PM ET deadline. Now that the deadline has passed and the dust has settled, fans of every team are not only assessing what these new players mean for their teams, but also what the additions and losses mean for teams in their division.
Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers got some help for George Pickens.
Nowhere is this more important than in the incredibly brutal AFC North. For years, the Steelers have run the division. However, over the past few years, that margin has narrowed, with all three opponents making major moves to improve their chances of winning a Super Bowl.
The Steelers are currently atop the AFC North at 7-2, but the Ravens are hot on their heels at 7-3, and the Bengals are still hanging on at 4-6 after an 0-3 start. The Steelers are about to enter the grueling second half of their season and knew they needed some help. They announced they traded for wide receiver Mike Williams from the New York Jets and defensive end Preston Smith from the Green Bay Packers. The other teams assessed any remaining needs as they headed into the second half of the season and made moves on the last trading day as well.
Baltimore Ravens Get Help Against Air Assaults
The Ravens made a trade for Tre'Davious White from the Los Angeles Rams. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Ravens got White and a 2027 seventh-round pick in return for a 2026 seventh-round pick.
Duane Burleson / AP
The Ravens made a trade for Rams CB Tre'Davious White.
The Buffalo Bills originally drafted White in the first-round in 2017. Despite having one of the best offenses in the league, the Ravens have one of the league's worst passing defenses and needed help stopping the bleeding from the air attack. White, who was once an elite cornerback, came with such a low price tag because he has an extensive injury history and has only played in four games this season. He has been a healthy scratch the past four weeks as he spoke with other teams.
This follows Baltimore's trading the Carolina Panthers for former Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson before the Week 9 games.
Cincinnati Bengals Got Help On The Ground
The Bengals received running back Khalil Herbert from the Chicago Bears. In exchange for the veteran, the Bears received a 2025 seventh-round pick. It isn't surprising that the Bengals needed help in their backfield; Zack Moss is out indefinitely with a neck injury.
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Former Chicago Bears running back, Khalil Herbert.
Herbert has more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage during his career. The Bears selected him in the sixth-round in 2021. With the addition of D'Andre Swift, Herbert has fallen out of favor and became trade fodder instead of a useful tool. He played in only 7% of their offensive snaps in 2024.
The Bengals made no other trades.
Cleveland Browns Started A Fire Sale
The Browns are the only AFC North team that traded away a player before the deadline. They sent edge rusher Za'Darius Smith to the Detriot Lions, according to Ian Rapoport. Detroit gave Cleveland a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick in exchange for Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick.
The Lions are legitimate Super Bowl contenders this year at 8-1 and desperately needed help with the pass rush after Aidan Hutchinson suffered a broken leg a few weeks ago. Conversely, the Browns have struggled this year to find their footing, sitting at 2-7, and are at the bottom of the AFC North.
USA TODAY
Former Cleveland Browns WR Amari Cooper is now with the Buffalo Bills.
The Browns previously traded wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills.
How will these AFC North trades impact the Steelers as they play these final games? Click to comment below.
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