Mike Tomlin: Steelers ‘Active Participants’ in Trade Deadline Talks
Head coach Mike Tomlin said the Pittsburgh Steelers are active participants in NFL trade deadline talks at wide receiver and other positions.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been talking about trading for a wide receiver for most of the 2024 season, so it’s no surprise that the team is still doing so as the hours tick away toward the 2024 NFL trade deadline. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, in his weekly press conference on Tuesday, acknowledged that the team is continuing those discussions, most notably at the wide receiver position, but all over.
“We work the trade market, not only at that position, but at all positions,” Tomlin said. “I think every team does, particularly those of us that are trying to lean in as the road gets narrow. I acknowledge that we’re active participants in trade discussions, but to be quite honest with you, we always are. And so, I wouldn’t read too much into that behavior. I just think that’s normal, prudent business if you’re trying to be a developing, world championship outfit.”
The Steelers were not active at the trade deadline last season. In 2022, they sent out wide receiver Chase Claypool for the draft pick that later became cornerback Joey Porter Jr., while also trading for cornerback William Jackson III, who never ended up playing for the team. In 2021, the club traded away unhappy edge rusher Melvin Ingram, for the pick that became Connor Heyward.
The last time the Steelers made a noteable acquisition at the trade deadline was when they traded for linebacker Avery Williamson in 2020, sending a fifth-round draft pick to the New York Jets for Williamson and a seventh. That pick was later used on linebacker Mark Robinson.
The Steelers’ outlook has certainly turned this season after going from Justin Fields to Russell Wilson at quarterback, sparking a three-game winning streak that had the team make their bye at 6-2 and in first place in the AFC North.
But Tomlin said that the change the to 35-year-old at quarterback will not increase the urgency with which the team will operate at the trade deadline.
“I don’t know that his presence or lack of his presence changes our appetite for adding talent, talent that could help us win, not only at that position, but at any,” he said. “I just think that’s always our mentality. Particularly, talent at value.”
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