Steelers Trade Targets: 9 Players Pittsburgh Could Pursue at the NFL Trade Deadline

The NFL trade deadline is like the football equivalent of a Black Friday sale—except instead of discounted TVs, teams are scrambling for game-changing players who could turn their season around. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, this year’s deadline (October 29, 4 p.m. ET) arrives at a fascinating crossroads. The team sits at a respectable but unspectacular record, with a defense that still strikes fear into opponents but an offense that sometimes sputters like a ’98 Corolla on a cold morning.

So, who could the Steelers realistically target? Should they go all-in for a playoff push, or play it safe and stockpile picks for the future? We’ve dug through the rumors, analyzed the roster needs, and cross-referenced contract situations to bring you nine trade targets who could don the black and gold by November. Some are big names, others are under-the-radar fits—but all of them make sense for Pittsburgh’s 2024 ambitions.

Spoiler: No, Aaron Rodgers isn’t on this list. (Though if you’re reading this, Green Bay front office, call Omar Khan.)

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Why the Trade Deadline Matters for the Steelers in 2024

The Steelers’ front office, led by GM Omar Khan, has been aggressively pragmatic in recent years. They’ve swung trades for players like Minkah Fitzpatrick (2019) and Chase Claypool (2020 draft-day trade), proving they’re not afraid to pull the trigger. This year, the calculus is trickier. The AFC North is a gauntlet—Baltimore’s loaded, Cincinnati’s healthy, and Cleveland’s defense is scary. The Steelers can’t afford to stand pat if they want to avoid another January spent watching the playoffs from home.

Here’s the reality:

Cap space: Pittsburgh has ~$8M in space (per Over the Cap), but they can restructure contracts (looking at you, Cam Heyward) to free up more.
Draft capital: They’ve got all their original picks in 2025, plus extra mid-rounders. Perfect for a "buy-low" trade.
Biggest needs: Offensive line depth, cornerback help, a true #2 WR, and—dare we say—quarterback insurance.

Khan’s philosophy? "We’re always looking to improve." Translation: If the right deal pops up, expect fireworks.

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The Steelers’ 9 Most Realistic Trade Targets

We’ve sorted these into three tiers:

Home Run Swings (High-impact, high-cost)
Smart Gambles (Mid-tier upgrades)
Sneaky Values (Low-risk, high-reward)

🏈 Tier 1: Home Run Swings

1. WR Brandon Aiyuk (San Francisco 49ers)
Why? The Steelers’ WR room is George Pickens and a whole lot of "meh." Aiyuk’s a legit #1 WR who’s stuck behind Deebo Samuel in San Francisco. He’s in a contract year, and the 49ers might not pay him. Pittsburgh could offer a 2nd-rounder + a conditional 2025 pick.
Risk: Rental player? Or will he want to stay long-term?

2. OT Trent Williams (San Francisco 49ers)
Why? Yes, another 49ers star. Williams is the best LT in football, but San Francisco’s cap situation is a dumpster fire. If they’re willing to move him for a 1st-round pick + more, Pittsburgh should mortgage the future. Broderick Jones is good, but Williams would make the O-line elite overnight.
Risk: He’s 36. How many years does he have left?

3. QB Justin Fields (Chicago Bears)
Why? Hear us out. The Bears are all-in on Caleb Williams, and Fields is in the last year of his rookie deal. Pittsburgh’s QB situation is… unsettled. Fields’ dual-threat ability would add a dimension this offense desperately lacks. Cost? Probably a 2nd or 3rd-rounder.
Risk: Is he actually better than Kenny Pickett? (The film says yes.)

🎯 Tier 2: Smart Gambles

4. CB Xavien Howard (Miami Dolphins)
Why? Miami’s defense is historic, but they’re also $40M over the cap in 2025. Howard’s a Pro Bowl-caliber CB who could replace Joey Porter Jr. if his sophomore slump continues. The Dolphins might move him for a Day 2 pick.
Steelers fit: Terrell Edmunds is gone. The secondary needs a veteran presence.

5. EDGE Brian Burns (Carolina Panthers)
Why? Burns is a 24-year-old pass-rushing phenom (22.5 sacks in the last two years), but Carolina’s rebuilding. If the Panthers are willing to deal him, Pittsburgh should empty the war chest. Imagine Burns opposite T.J. Watt. Nightmares for QBs.
Cost: At least a 1st + more. Worth it.

6. WR Courtland Sutton (Denver Broncos)
Why? Denver’s season is already a dumpster fire, and Sutton’s a big-bodied WR (6’4”, 215 lbs) who’d give Pickett a reliable red-zone target. He’s signed through 2025, so it’s not just a rental. Broncos might take a 3rd-rounder.
Bonus: He’s played with Russell Wilson. He’s used to bad QB play.

💎 Tier 3: Sneaky Values

7. RB D’Andre Swift (Chicago Bears)
Why? Swift’s stuck in a timeshare with Khalil Herbert, and Chicago’s likely to extend Herbert instead. Swift’s a dual-threat RB who’d thrive behind Pittsburgh’s O-line. Cost? A 5th or 6th-rounder.
Steelers fit: Najee Harris is good, but not great. Swift would add explosiveness.

8. S Kyle Dugger (New England Patriots)
Why? New England’s defense is historically bad, and Dugger’s a versatile safety who can play in the box or deep. He’s in a contract year, and Bill Belichick loves trading players before they hit free agency. A 4th-rounder could get it done.
Steelers fit: Minkah Fitzpatrick needs a running mate.

9. DT Christian Wilkins (Miami Dolphins)
Why? Wilkins is a disruptive interior DL who’d pair perfectly with Cam Heyward. Miami’s cap situation is brutal, and they might prioritize re-signing Jalen Ramsey over Wilkins. A 3rd-rounder could pry him loose.
Steelers fit: Their run defense has been inconsistent. Wilkins fixes that.

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How a Trade Actually Happens: A Beginner’s Guide

Ever wonder how NFL trades go down? It’s not like fantasy football—you can’t just click "Accept Trade" and call it a day. Here’s the real process, Steelers-style:

The Scout: Pittsburgh’s pro personnel team (led by Dan Rooney Jr.) identifies targets by watching film, analyzing stats, and—yes—stalking social media for hints of discontent.
The Call: GM Omar Khan picks up the phone. No texts. No emails. Old-school NFL moves only. He’ll gauge interest with a simple: "What would it take to get [Player X]?"
The Haggle: This is where it gets spicy. Teams trade picks, players, or future assets. Example: The Steelers might offer a 2025 2nd + a 2026 conditional 4th for Brandon Aiyuk.
The Physical: If a deal’s close, the player takes a team physical. No surprises allowed (looking at you, Jadeveon Clowney’s 2021 knee).
The Paperwork: Once terms are agreed, the NFL office approves the trade. Then—boom—your Twitter timeline explodes.

Fun fact: The Steelers once traded a 6th-round pick for a punter (Jordan Berry, 2019). So yeah, they’ll move heaven and earth for the right piece.

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What’s the Right Move for Pittsburgh?

Should the Steelers go all-in for a star like Brandon Aiyuk? Or play it safe with a low-risk, high-reward guy like Kyle Dugger? Here’s the breakdown:

✅ Do It If...

They’re one piece away from a Super Bowl run. (Spoiler: They’re not.)
The cost is reasonable (e.g., a 3rd for Sutton or Swift).
The player fits the "Steelers Way"—high character, team-first mentality.

❌ Pump the Brakes If...

They’d have to gut the future (e.g., trading a 1st for Brian Burns).
The player is a rental with no long-term upside (see: Odell Beckham Jr. in 2021).
The front office isn’t 100% sold on the fit. Omar Khan doesn’t do impulsive.

Our prediction? Pittsburgh makes one mid-tier move—think Courtland Sutton or Xavien Howard—and maybe a smaller deal for depth. They’re not desperate enough to overpay, but they’re too competitive to sit idle.

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What’s Next? 3 Scenarios for the Steelers at the Deadline

1. The Blockbuster (Unlikely, But Fun)

Trade: Steelers send a 2025 1st + 2026 2nd to San Francisco for Brandon Aiyuk.
Impact: Instant offense upgrade. Pickens + Aiyuk = one of the best WR duos in the AFC.
Why it won’t happen: 49ers GM John Lynch is adamant about keeping Aiyuk. Unless the offer is stupid good.

2. The Smart Play (Most Likely)

Trade: Steelers send a 3rd + conditional 5th to Denver for Courtland Sutton.
Impact: Gives Pickett a reliable veteran WR without breaking the bank.
Bonus: Sutton’s contract is team-friendly ($13M in 2025).

3. The Stand Pat (Boring, But Possible)

Trade: None. The Steelers tweak the roster internally (e.g., give Calvin Austin III more snaps).
Why? If the front office thinks they’re close enough with the current squad, they might save ammo for the offseason.
Risk: Another early playoff exit = fanbase meltdown.

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Final Verdict: Who Should the Steelers Trade For?

If we’re playing GM for a day, here’s the move we’d make:

🔥 Trade a 2025 3rd + 2026 4th to Denver for WR Courtland Sutton.
Why?

He’s a proven #2 WR who can win contested catches.
His contract is manageable ($13M in 2025).
Denver’s not competing this year—they’ll take picks.
Low risk, high reward. If it doesn’t work out, oh well—it’s not a 1st-rounder.

Honorable mention: If Miami’s willing to deal Xavien Howard for a 4th, pull the trigger. The Steelers’ secondary needs a veteran leader.

Stay away from: Overpaying for a rental (like Chase Claypool in 2022) or trading for a QB unless it’s a steal (Fields at a 5th? Sure. Fields at a 2nd? Nope.).

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Your Turn: Who Should the Steelers Trade For?

Think we’re crazy for wanting Courtland Sutton? Convinced Justin Fields is the answer? Drop your hot takes in the comments—we want to hear from you.

And if you’re craving more Steelers content, check out:

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Now excuse us while we refresh NFL Trade Rumors every 10 minutes until October 29. 🏈

Kebun Firdaus

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