Steelers Still Have Trade Options At Wide Receiver Due To 'Contractual' Issues Despite The Draft Ending

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been busy the past few weeks with the 2024 NFL Draft. The biggest hole that most Steelers fans still notice however, is at the wide receiver position. The team has seemingly been tied to every receiver in the NFL since the trade of Diontae Johnson, ranging from Brandon Aiyuk to DK Metcalf. After a post by former Steelers defensive back, Bryant McFadden, reporting that the Steelers were close to making a big move, these rumors only grew more rambunctious. . 

Though McFadden's timing of when a deal will be made may have been off slightly, the likelihood of the Steelers making a big move for a receiver is still as high as ever. During a conversation with McFadden Wednesday night on SteelerNation Twitter Space, not only did McFadden clarify his post, but he reiterated that a team like the Steelers "moves in silence" and won't show their hand until the move comes. 

This is the time of year where teams are attempting to put the finishing touches on their roster, but also build for the long-term future. It's this mindset that makes McFadden believe that the Steelers will still be aggressive in pursuing a playmaker on the outside.

"With a lot of these teams, and let me use San Francisco as an example -- when you look primarily at the wide receiver position, they only have one receiver on their team that is under contract that has played significant time after 2025. You have to find ways to get deals done. Contractually speaking with San Francisco, can you pay Brandon Aiyuk top dollar while still paying Deebo Samuel good money... along with understanding that next year, you have to sign Brock Purdy. Contractually speaking, that could be an issue for them." 

That issue in the salary cap may be a problem for other teams, but headed into 2025 won't be a problem for the Steelers. According to Overthecap.com, the Steelers have just under $94 million in cap space for the 2025 season pending contract extensions to players such as Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. This flexibility allows the team to not only benefit this season, but beyond.

The Khan Artist At Work For The Steelers

General Manager Omar Khan has been fantastic to this point with the Steelers, not only in the capacity of making key signings, but helping to build the team for long-term success. Trusting Khan has worked for Steelers fans thus far, and should continue to be trusted headed into the season. Making a trade affects draft capital and therefore a team's future. Khan has worked hard in getting younger on both sides of the ball, and that requires drafting well -- which has been a strength for this regime.

This is the point that McFadden touches on. As a GM, you have to walk a fine line in how aggressive you are in pursuing a ring. You can be like the Los Angeles Rams and go all in one year for a ring, or be like the New England Patriots and build for a dynasty over a prolonged span. It's impossible to pay everyone. If you can receive compensation for a player like Aiyuk, you'd rather get something for him, rather than nothing. Finding the appropriate compensation is the hard part, but when it comes down to it, Khan has proven how to create magic out of beans, which he has done twice since his reign began as GM.

Do you trust the Steelers' current receiver room, or should they look for another playmaker?