The Pittsburgh Steelers have continued to swing and miss at receiver since trading Diontae Johnson. They missed on San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk, then watched as Davante Adams was traded to the New York Jets and Amari Cooper headed to Western New York.
But swinging and missing is better than not swinging at all.
In Week 8, Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Christian Kirk was targeted five times and caught two catches for 59 yards.
He left the game with a broken collarbone.
His season is over, and so is his chance to help the Steelers make the playoffs.
On Saturday, Adam Schefter reported that the teams were close to a deal for the veteran receiver before the injury occurred.
“The Steelers were in the process of trying to get a deal done for Christian Kirk, and league sources told ESPN there was a reasonable chance that the Jaguars wide receiver was going to wind up in Pittsburgh until he broke his collarbone last Sunday,” Schefter reported.
However, Kirk’s bad break didn’t end Pittsburgh’s attempt to add to the passing offense. With just days before Tuesday’s trade deadline, the time is nye to make a move, and there are options available. While Jets receiver Mike Williams may have been taken off the board after Allen Lazard’s injury and a recent win, Schefter included Carolina Panthers receiver Adam Thielen with Williams as names to watch.
It’s possible receiver Calvin Austin III earned enough trust in recent weeks to earn the majority of reps in the slot down the stretch. But Van Jefferson’s struggles and a lack of reinforcements emphasize Pittsburgh’s need for a target, and if the Steelers are serious about a real playoff run, it’s a problem that must be addressed in a matter of days, not months.
Pittsburgh has a bye week in Week 9, focusing the fan base and front office’s attention on a rumor mill that’s running out of time to churn. It seems like general manager Omar Khan will be aggressive in his pursuit of a receiver upgrade.
