The Steelers had three glaring weaknesses in the first half of the season…depth at wide receiver, outside linebacker, and offensive line. They addressed two of them at yesterday’s trade deadline, trading a fifth round draft choice to the New York Jets for wide receiver Mike Williams and a seventh rounder to Green Bay for edge rusher Preston Smith. Both of the draft choices the team gave up are in the 2025 draft.
Williams is a former Chargers top draft pick out of USC. He signed a one-year $10 million contract with the Jets in the off-season but had only 12 receptions in the first nine games, with three starts as he worked his way back from a torn ACL suffered last year as a Charger. The Steelers will pay the remainder of his contract.
Smith provides the depth the Steelers need on the edge after Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig both missed time in the first eight games. In ten seasons, he’s had 68-and-a-half sacks, five interceptions, and ten forced fumbles. He has two-and-a-half sacks this season.
To open roster space, the Steelers waived tight end Rodney Williams from the active roster and also released wide receiver Andy Isabella and linebacker Craig Young from the practice squad.
Coach Mike Tomlin held his weekly media conference prior to the trades. His focus was on the Washington Commanders, the Steelers’ opponent this Sunday.
Tomlin says the elusiveness of Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson next week will be a big test for the Steelers’ defense.
The Steelers have given up too many yards to tough running teams, but Tomlin says he doesn’t worry about the other team’s offense…it’s about how the Steelers play defense.
The coach says Washington is a great ball-security team, and the Steelers’ big-play defense will be challenged.
The other AFC North teams were active on trade deadline day…Baltimore acquired cornerback Tre’Davious White from the Rams, Cincinnati got running back Khalil Herbert from the Bears, and the Browns traded defensive lineman Za’Darius Smith to the Lions.
This week’s Steelers’ opponent, the Commanders, made the biggest trade of the day, getting four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore from the Saints.
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