Steelers Making Massive Trade Officially Labeled As Unrealistic

The Pittsburgh Steelers have their hands full as they look to improve several positions on their roster in the 2026 offseason for new head coach Mike McCarthy. The team has been linked to Brian Thomas Jr. as potential trade suitors for the young playmaker to improve the wide receiver position. On Friday, Chris Carter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette revealed the honest answer about where things stand in the team's pursuit of improving the position, specifically with Thomas. While the answer may be underwhelming news, NFL free agency begins on March 11th followed in April by the draft so things are still unfolding this offseason.

The team's offensive production was not good in 2025, as the unit was ranked 25th in total offense in the NFL and 15th in points per game. One factor that stood out big time was the wide receiver production, or lack thereof. Wide receiver DK Metcalf experienced a down year in his first season with Pittsburgh and much of that can be attributed to the lack of production at the position outside of him. However, Carter doesn't see General Manager Omar Khan acquiring Thomas.

"From what I've heard, the Steelers made a call to check in on Brian Thomas Jr. as did all the other 30 NFL teams," Carter said. "From what I understand, other things would need to happen before a move like that would be considered realistic for the Steelers."

With free agency looming and the draft next month, things can unfold to where this can change for Pittsburgh, but per Carter's reporting on the matter, the team is in the same situation on Thomas as the rest of franchises around the league. 

It has been reported that the team will look to pursue multiple potential upgrades at wide receiver and it is not limited as it will look to do so in the draft as well as in free agency or via trade. Whether that happens or not remains to be seen, but upgrades at the position can help Metcalf get back to his prior form as an NFL wide receiver.

Metcalf has eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving in three of his seven NFL seasons. However, in his first year in Pittsburgh, he fell short of that mark. While he was suspended for two games for an in-game altercation with a fan against the Detroit Lions, the team's failure to place talent around the former second round pick. 

Thomas would be an excellent running mate alongside Metcalf and the team would still have the flexibility to pursue another wide receiver in the draft due to the depth of this year's wide receiver class.

Steelers' Offense Must Have More Modern Look To Succeed

Pittsburgh's offense does not require a massive overhaul heading into 2026. However, for how bad it struggled at times in 2025, it needs to stay aggressive like it is reportedly looking to do, and go for multiple upgrades at wide receiver. While things are kind of at a standstill with this new information on where things stand with the team and Thomas, he would be a perfect pairing for Metcalf and the start of improving the wide receiver room.

Thomas had a sophomore slump in 2025, as his numbers were down compared to his rookie season in 2024. As a rookie, Thomas posted nearly 1,300 yards to go along with 10 touchdowns for the Jacksonville Jaguars. That production dipped in 2025, however, as he had 707 yards receiving and just two touchdowns. With that said, Jacksonville also acquired wide receiver Jakobi Meyers in 2025 and it had Parker Washington receiving targets as well. 

Thomas is the perfect bounce back candidate heading into the 2026 season. Should the Steelers end up finding a way to make a trade for him when things unfold after all, he would be a great running mate alongside Metcalf. 

The team also holds plenty of draft capital in 2026, especially with three third-round picks this year. For a year in which the wide receiver depth is great heading into the draft, Pittsburgh would benefit from making a trade for Thomas and complementing that with a stud wide receiver in the draft.

#SteelerNation