The Steelers are one of several teams which has been connected to a Davante Adams acquisition. The Raiders All-Pro wants to be dealt to the Jets, however, and other suitors such as the Saints (with quarterback Derek Carr and receivers coach Keith Williams) represent other attractive destinations. 
Even if Pittsburgh does not wind up adding Adams over the coming weeks, though, the team could still be in the market for a wideout. ESPN’s Dan Graziano expects the Steelers to be a contender (albeit likely an outside one as things stand) for the six-time Pro Bowler in terms of pursuing a trade agreement. Other veterans could be on the team’s radar as the trade deadline approaches, though.
Graziano names DeAndre Hopkins and Christian Kirk as wideouts who could be on the move over the coming weeks. The Titans and Jaguars have combined to win only one game in 2024, and both teams could be sellers in the build-up to the November 5 deadline. Sitting at 3-1 on the year, by contrast, the Steelers could be in the market for a veteran pass-catching addition if they can continue their strong start. Bringing in an accomplished receiver would also fit given how Pittsburgh’s offseason played out.
While replacing the entire quarterbacks room was the central element of how the spring played out for the Steelers, the team traded away Diontae Johnson and released Allen Robinson. That left a vacancy for a starting spot opposite George Pickens, and the team made a sustained push to acquire Brandon Aiyuk. The 49ers standout vetoed the agreement Pittsburgh and San Francisco made to finalize a trade, ultimately remaining in the Bay Area. Since then, questions have loomed about the Steelers’ secondary WR options.
The likes of Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, Scotty Miller and third-round rookie Roman Wilson have handled depth WR roles so far. With Justin Fields leading the way, Pittsburgh has mainly relied on the ground game while ranking just 20th in passing yardage. Adding an accomplished receiver could add to the team’s offense, although finances would of course need to be taken into consideration.
Hopkins is a pending free agent as his current pact includes three void years. The 32-year-old is attached to a salary of $8.27MM, so an acquiring team would take on a prorated portion of that figure. Hopkins had a strong debut campaign in Tennessee (1,057 yards, seven touchdowns), although his usage has taken a downturn early in 2024. The former Texan and Cardinal could be moved if he were to remain healthy, especially given Tennessee’s long-term investment in Calvin Ridley this past offseason.
A teammate of Ridley’s in Jacksonville, Kirk delivered on his eyebrow-raising contract in 2022. The former second-rounder saw his production take a step back last season, though, one in which he was limited to 12 contests. Kirk, 27, had a slow start to the current campaign but has totaled 15 receptions over the past two games. He is owed the remainder of his $14.5MM salary in 2024; one year remains on his pact beyond that, but it does not include guarantees and carries a cap hit of over $24MM. An adjustment upon arrival or in the spring would thus be required for an acquiring team to commit to a Kirk trade.
With roughly $10.5MM in cap space, the Steelers sit mid-pack in terms of financial flexibility at the moment. A move aimed at adding a veteran receiver could be feasible (especially later in the year, as the remaining salary on players’ deals decrease), but it will be interesting to see if general manager Omar Khan significantly changes the team’s roster if Pittsburgh continues to find success with the current offensive setup.
The Steelers might invest in a younger, cheaper, & less drama-prone WR(I guess they learned their lesson with A Brown!)? Smart play by them.
I think Tomlin is one of the best HCs at handling players with inflated egos. His tolerance for drama ends when it starts to interfere with his ability to extend his winning season streak.
Hopkins seems like a fit here, no? Pittsburgh can afford him, at least this year, and they seem to want to contend. Fields throws high often, which plays to Hopkins’ strengths, and his veteran experience would contrast productively with Pickens on the other side. This isn’t to say that Pittsburgh is his for sure end destination, but Hopkins does feel like a good fit with the Steelers.
My question for Tennessee is what they plan to do with Burks. Burks doesn’t have great value, but seems cheap, and is still young. If Hopkins is moved, do they use this year to give him a final shot? Or do they try to move him as well? If the latter is true, you’d think that he wouldn’t be the center of any potential trade. Pick swaps or possibly another player and pick would probably be part of that. Tennessee seems like they’d more be selling Burks’ contract than getting value for the player himself.
So they’d go for Aiyuk and commit to a contract who has half the talent but not Adams with no guaranteed money after this year?
Tbh more interested in what the backfield in a rush first offense is gonna look like as the season goes on. Not sure how long Najee gets RB1 touches if he keeps averaging sub 4 yards a carry. The line has been banged up, sure, but he’s gonna have a hard time finding money this offseason the way it’s going for him.