The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team that clearly needs to fix the wide receiver position before the 2026 season rolls around. As of right now, the only wide receivers on the roster for the 2026 season are DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson, and Ben Skowronek. Metcalf underperformed in 2025, but that was probably due to the lack of talent Pittsburgh had in the passing game. Wilson showed that he could get separation, but he was in the doghouse with the former coaching staff for what felt like most of the year. The young wide receiver could wind up being a factor on offense, but more talent needs to be brought into the organization.
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Steelers' Omar Khan speaks to the media ahead of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Steelers should be looking to add a legitimate wide receiver through free agency or on the trade market. The organization should also select one highly in the 2026 NFL Draft. The offense needs to be able to keep up with the rest of the units around the league, and more talent at wide receiver will only open up the offense and make life easier on whoever is playing quarterback.
Beat writer Mark Kaboly joined 93.7 The Fan on Monday, and he was asked about the Steelers trading for a wide receiver, specifically Brian Thomas Jr. or Jaylen Waddle.
"I think it could," Kaboly said. "I haven’t really heard anything. I mean Jaylen Waddle was there last year, I haven’t heard anything about that resurfacing. But if you’re going to get a Brian Thomas, that’s great. Bring him on in. I’m sure he’s still on his rookie contract, so it's probably not that much money until the fourth year, and even that isn’t that bad. Now what’re you going to give up for him? Probably not that much. Everybody always thinks it’s going to be two firsts, no, probably not. Maybe not even a first or a second (round pick)."
Kaboly had more faith in the Steelers being able to land Thomas, as he thinks that trade could happen. He believes Waddle will likely stick with the Miami Dolphins, while the Jacksonville Jaguars could part ways with Thomas after he had a disappointing second season. He is also still on his rookie deal, so an extension, second contract, or option year would not kick in until the 2028 season.
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Jacksonville wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. looks on before a game in the 2024 NFL season.
The main reason the Steelers would not want to pursue a player like Waddle is because he is already on a large contract that runs through the 2028 season. Thomas' rookie deal makes him enticing to acquire via trade, but it is up in the air how much he might cost. Kaboly suggested that he would not even go for a first- or second-round pick, which would be something the Steelers should sign up for immediately.
The low trade price and willingness to trade Thomas makes sense from the Jaguars, despite the fact that he was one of the best wide receivers in the league during his rookie year in 2024. Jacksonville is operating under a new regime now, and the head coach and general manager duo that drafted Thomas is no longer there. It is also important to consider the addition and extension of Jakobi Meyers, as well as the emergence of Parker Washington.
Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP Photo
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. runs in front of New York Jets cornerback Kendall Sheffield during the first half of an NFL game in 2024.
Steelers Will Look To Reinvigorate Brian Thomas Jr.
There is no denying the fact that Thomas had a down year in 2025, and it was a bit of a sophomore slump for the wideout. After recording over 1,200 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns during his rookie year, Thomas caught 39 less passes while only scoring twice. He was slightly banged up throughout the year and missed some time, but it was still a disappointing year for the former first-round pick.
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