Schefter: Steelers “want” to acquire wide receiver before trade deadline

The Pittsburgh Steelers have failed to land a wide receiver despite attempting to sign WR Brandon Aiyuk back in August, and with Tuesday's NFL trade deadline approaching, Pittsburgh is running out of time to make a move. On Sunday's NFL Countdown, ESPN's Adam Schefter said the Steelers are shopping and that the team would like to walk away with a receiver.

“They were working on a deal to acquire Christian Kirk until he broke his collarbone last week. Maybe they'll go to Darius Slayton now, maybe they'll go to Mike Williams, maybe they'll go to Adam Thielen. But the Steelers want to emerge from this trade deadline with a wide receiver.”

Schefter reported that the Steelers were working on a deal for Kirk yesterday, but his season-ending injury ended their hopes of signing him. Slayton is the best receiver on the market right now, and the Steelers took a close look at him in Week 8 as he had four receptions for 108 yards in their win over the Giants against Pittsburgh. Williams has been on the market since the Jets acquired WR Mike Williams, and NFL Media's Tom Pelissero said it's highly likely Williams will be traded, even after the Jets' Week 9 win.

Former NFL wide receiver and current ESPN analyst Randy Moss said it is “critical” that the Steelers get a wideout.

“They need another target for Russell Wilson, so that’s crucial, I could see it happening,” he said on Countdown.

Pittsburgh's receiver room has been a question mark all season, but the group has made progress over the last two weeks with Russell Wilson at center. Still, there isn't much depth and adding another weapon to the room that they can rely on each week seems to be a priority. It's a shame that Kirk's injury ended Pittsburgh's hopes of getting him, and it was difficult for the Steelers to find a top receiver as they were also missing Davante Adams, who was traded to the New York Jets by Aiyuk and WR Cooper Kupp, who is no longer on the market.

The Steelers probably won't have a particularly exciting name, but there's no doubt that Slayton and Williams would help add value to the room, and Thielen could be a good option as another option for the Steelers, even if he's out all season struggled with injuries. Over the next few days, we can finally stop talking about the prospect of the Steelers getting a receiver and focus on who they acquired if they actually make a move.