It’s no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers need help at wide receiver.
That has been an issue for each of the last two seasons, as the Steelers failed to get adequate help for George Pickens in 2024, and then DK Metcalf in 2025.
The result has been Pittsburgh sporting one of the worst wide receivers rooms in the league in that span and that’s something general manager Omar Khan simply cannot allow to continue.
The Steelers should be active in free agency and in the draft to address the position, but pulling off a trade is another option and USA TODAY’ Ayrton Ostly offers up a strong suggestion.
Ostly predicts the Steelers will pull off a trade with the Indianapolis Colts for wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who has one more year left on his $70 million deal.
Here’s Ostly’s thoughts on the Steelers going after Pittman:
For Pittsburgh, the offense could use more weapons on the outside beyond D.K. Metcalf. He’s a vertical threat thanks to his speed and Pittman would bring another physical skillset to the offense. The Steelers have a dozen picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including a projected five combined selections in Round 3 and Round 4. If they’re willing to take on most of his salary, Indianapolis could get one of those selections back in a deal that may be worthwhile for both teams.
This trade would make total sense for both teams.
Pittman is an experienced veteran target who could offer a nice complement across from Metcalf.
Pittman has tallied two 1,000-yard seasons during his career and is a strong weapon in the short-to-intermediate areas of the field, and he is an asset near the goal line with his 6-foot-4 frame.
The Colts find themselves in a tough spot this offseason, as the team clearly wants to bring Alec Pierce back but might have trouble giving him what he wants with Pittman’s significant contract already on the books.
Unloading Pittman in a trade would free up a whopping $24 million in cap space for the Colts, which they can then turn around and use on Pierce. Indy would also avoid allowing Pittman to walk in free agency for nothing next offseason.
And Pittman being in a contract year is good for the Steelers for two reasons: it will make him cheaper in a trade, and Pittsburgh can wipe Pittman off their books completely in 2027 if he doesn’t pan out.
Sure, the Steelers might be giving up a draft pick for a one-year rental, but Pittsburgh is also loaded with draft picks in 2026, so the team can afford it.
This trade just makes too much sense not to happen. If the price is right, Khan and the Steelers should absolutely pull the trigger.
