Unless you’ve been off the grid for the past 24 hours, you’ve likely heard there is a potential change at quarterback. I say potential because HC Mike Tomlin did not declare a starter on Tuesday but said the team would “potentially explore” Russell Wilson getting an opportunity to play. It’s a lot of the same language we heard prior to Week 1 and has that same feeling of inevitability, but we were surprised then and I’ll leave the door open for the possibility we are again by Sunday.
Ryland and I have shared our thoughts on these quarterbacks more than once, and we each participated in Behind the Steel Curtain’s roundtable reaction to Tuesday’s news. You’ve heard our thoughts and they have not shifted much, so we will be focusing elsewhere this week.
Fine! If you’re still starved for Steelers quarterback content, Ryland shared his latest Justin Fields thoughts in his reaction to last week’s game. Back in April, I wrote about the Steelers' potential quarterback outcomes and that article has taken on a renewed relevancy as of late. For those who remember and are keeping score at home — we’re currently on Path 2.
Please feel free to share your opinions on the quarterback situation in the comments! But now let’s get into the other news from Tuesday.
So… Davante Adams is not walking through that door. Can the Steelers find a trade partner or is this really what they’re sticking with? Who would even be realistic at this point?
Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
RB: First Brandon Aiyuk. Then Davante Adams. Now both are off the board. Funny enough, the fallout from the Adams trade is what has opened up the next most likely Steelers target: Jets wide receiver Mike Williams.
Ryan and I aren’t huge fans of Williams coming to Pittsburgh, but if the asking price is cheap, I’m not opposed to the idea. For one, just look at the Steelers’ wide receiver room outside of George Pickens. There’s a very good chance Williams is an upgrade.
Then there’s the facts: Williams is just 30 years old on a team-friendly deal. He’s a former first-round pick, but unlike other available receivers who fit the description, he’s actually played like one at the NFL level. He’s broken 1,000 yards twice in his career and had three additional seasons over 650 yards. At 6’4, 218 pounds, he’s a contested catch specialist with 31 career touchdowns.
Of course, a big part of Williams’ story is his injury history, including an ACL tear that ended his 2023 season. He’s never been a burner, and with the Jets, he hasn’t looked very explosive. There’s a reason why he’s being shopped. But if a player of his pedigree can be had for a Day 3 pick, it could be a worthwhile gamble.
I turned on Williams’ tape from this year. It wasn’t that impressive, but he was still making catches that we haven’t seen Van Jefferson come close to holding onto. Maybe it’s really that simple.
Another name to monitor is probably my favorite receiver trade target in this article: the Giants’ Darius Slayton. It’s unknown if he’s being shopped or not, but trade rumors have been swirling around Slayton for the past few seasons. Maybe they finally come to fruition with Malik Nabers in the Big Apple.
Slayton is younger (27 years old) and faster (4.39 40 in 2019) than Williams even if he’s not as imposing on the boundary. He’s been very consistent over his career with 700-plus yards in every season but one, and he’s already up to 301 in 2024. His tape this year shows a fast, productive WR2 type who could function as a Diontae Johnson lite for a Steelers receiving corps in desperate need of more separation. However, he does have a well-documented drop problem that’s worth noting.
On the last year of a two-year, $12 million deal in New York, Slayton could be an available option and a solid fit for Pittsburgh this year and beyond. I’m a fan.
I’ll also highlight Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk. There have been rumblings regarding Kirk being available via trade, and given Jacksonville’s rough start to the season, it wouldn’t shock me if they were sellers at the trade deadline.
Some might remember that Kirk was universally thought to be an overpaid free agent acquisition when the Jaguars signed him in 2022 to a four-year, $72 million deal. It’s coming back to bite them; Kirk has a $24 million cap hit this year and a $27 million cap hit in 2025, per Spotrac. That might explain why Jacksonville wants to trade him.
Of course, that makes him a tougher get for the Steelers, who certainly wouldn’t want to pony up that much cash for a receiver with one career 1,000-yard season. But if the Jaguars are willing to pay for some of his salary, Kirk, who averages 800 receiving yards a year, becomes a solid WR2 option for interested teams.
Kirk is just 27 with a lot of good football still ahead of him. His game doesn’t pop off the screen, but outside of his 5’11 frame, it doesn’t have many weaknesses, either. His consistency and all-around skillset would be a good addition for the Steelers, where the receiver room is full of gadget players.
So, while the bigger names are no longer available (although check out our honorable mentions for some out-there possibilities), there are still plenty of solid WR2s to be had across the league. The bar is low — they could all greatly elevate the Steelers' offense.
It might not be as exciting as a blockbuster Davante Adams trade, but I still expect Omar Khan to bring in a respectable new talent to the receiver room sometime this season. I don’t think the team has been involved in every wide receiver trade discussion this year for nothing.
RP: If I’m honest, at this point I’m not expecting Omar Khan to find a reasonable trade partner at this point. There aren’t any superstars like Aiyuk or Adams that are definitively on the market. I live in Seattle, and while their fans, like ours, can gripe about their mercurial receiver in the number 14 jersey, there is no real indication that the organization has any interest in trading him.
So then the question becomes, how much are you willing to pay in future draft picks for a wide receiver who might only be a role player and potentially on a 10-game-or-less rental? If I’m the Steelers I’d part with a Day 3 pick, preferably from 2026, but how many teams will that entice?
DeAndre Hopkins is a name I’ve also seen linked to Pittsburgh in recent weeks. Read what Ryland said about Mike Williams, and you could be reading the main takeaways from Hopkins. Just one year removed from a 1,057-yard season with seven touchdowns, Hopkins has been battling injuries and has only 14 receptions for 175 yards and one touchdown in five games this year. He’s not the downfield threat he once was, but nine of his receptions have gone for first downs. If you put any stake into “veteran leadership,” it’d be hard to find a better pro to give Pickens insights on how to be a productive player despite a frustrating quarterback situation. I’m not sure how much is left in the tank for Nuk, but like Ryland said earlier, it’s a low bar to clear Van Jefferson.
It wouldn’t get anyone excited, but I still think calling up the Packers about Bo Melton would be a fun, low-risk swing by the Steelers. While Melton may not be quite the same separator as Diontae Johnson, he’s of a similar size and play style at 5’11 and 189 pounds with 4.34 speed. Green Bay has more wide receivers than they know what to do with. Jayden Reed, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are the core of Green Bay’s receiver room.
Melton is fifth in the receiver pecking order, which should make him attainable for a late-round pick if Green Bay is willing to trade. Melton is far from proven, but in his one career start, he was targeted nine times and recorded six receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown. He’d have the ability to play in the slot or as a Z-receiver.
One last name I’ll throw out there — and who along with Slayton is one of my favorite options — is Kendrick Bourne. Bourne is just returning to action for New England after tearing his ACL in Week 8 last season. A versatile piece who has never been the top guy on his team, Bourne has made a career out of being reliable with the snaps he’s given and would make an effective number two for Pittsburgh.
Currently in his eighth season, the 29-year-old Bourne would instantly have the most career catches (267), yards (3,424) and touchdowns (21) in the Pittsburgh receiving corps. He’s not the most explosive or physically imposing, but he’s good at beating man coverage and is one of those players who is solid at everything — yards after the catch, contested catches, route running — even if he excels at nothing. I’m not sure Bourne is in New England’s long-term plans and is the level of player that should be reasonable for Khan to acquire. Again you’re telling me this wouldn’t clear Van Jefferson?
Kendrick Bourne Wk1: 6 REC, 64 YDS, 2 TD
There will be scientific studies for years to come on what exactly prompted Matt Patricia to bench KB for the entirety of the 2022 season. pic.twitter.com/nPmz9VKbrO
— Daniel (@TheDTSB) September 13, 2023
Honorable mentions (discuss in the comments!): DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaylen Waddle, Treylon Burks, Cooper Kupp, Romeo Doubs, Courtland Sutton. The trade deadline is Nov. 5.
Week 7 preview
What to expect vs. Jets’ offense
Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images
RB: Hoo boy, this preview is a whole lot different to write this week than it would’ve been at the beginning of the season, or even a few days ago. Where to begin?
Despite a healthy Aaron Rodgers entering 2024, the Jets offense was still underperforming, with New York firing head coach Robert Saleh on Oct. 8. The Jets’ interim head coach is now defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who proceeded to demote offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett from play-calling duties, giving the job to passing game coordinator Todd Downing ahead of the team’s Monday Night Football matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
I thought that would be the big story for this segment, but then even bigger news hit. On Monday, the Jets traded for Aaron Rodgers’ old pal Davante Adams, who’s still one of the league’s top receivers despite being on the back half of his career.
Unsurprisingly, Adams’ health situation cleared up the moment he was traded. He’s an experienced player with a lengthy history with Rodgers, and per report, he’ll be playing on Sunday night against the Steelers.
If Pittsburgh caught any sort of break, it’s that Mike Tomlin claimed the team was already prepping for then-Raider Davante Adams last week, meaning the team should be well-equipped for the matchup.
Adams, of course, won’t be the only weapon on the New York offense. He’ll be joining Garrett Wilson, who’s struggled to build chemistry with Rodgers but is still a great receiver coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Third-string receiver Allen Lazard is also a name to keep an eye on. With 354 yards and five touchdowns this season, he’s been a functional WR2 up to this point for the Jets, even catching an Aaron Rodgers signature Hail Mary last week before halftime. Still gotta look out for those, too.
It’s going to be a big week for the Steelers’ secondary. There’s talent everywhere in the Jets’ receiver room, meaning Pittsburgh can’t just rely on Joey Porter Jr. to lock down the top guy to be successful. Donte Jackson and Beanie Bishop Jr. will have to step up as well.
At running back, fantasy darling Breece Hall hasn’t put up the expected numbers this year, but he’s still a do-it-all threat in the backfield who ran for 113 yards on Monday. Braelon Allen has burst onto the scene as well as a hard-nosed RB2.
Even before Adams was in the picture, there was no shortage of talent on the Jets’ offense. So why has it struggled in 2024?
You probably guessed it — it’s the trenches. Per NFL Pro, the Jets are bottom five in just about every rushing metric this season. In the passing game, it’s better — the Jets have the second-best quarterback pressure rate in the league at just 26% — but Rodgers gets the ball out very fast. The Jets have still allowed 16 sacks this season, tied for ninth-most in the NFL.
But New York is doing its best to change things up. Under Downing, the Jets’ offense started using a lot more misdirection and motion, as well as 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end, three wide receivers) from what I noticed. Now with Adams in the fold, that trend should continue.
The New York offense looked better than their 20 points on Monday (two missed field goals and countless penalties didn’t help) and looks to ascend very soon. However, there is a sort of honeymoon period to be wary of when it comes to new coaches. Downing’s changes will be less unexpected in Week 7.
Ultimately, it comes down to Aaron Rodgers regarding whether or not the Jets’ offense can take the next step. Rodgers has been much better than any Jets quarterback of the past several seasons, but he’s also not his Green Bay self, with an uncharacteristic five interceptions thrown on the young season. He’s looked rusty and occasionally flustered, and no one looks particularly settled in on the Jets’ offense.
The Adams addition should increase Rodgers’ comfort level in 2024, but that happened on Monday. Will it affect Sunday’s game much? Possibly, but the Steelers might avoid the worst of it.
For Sunday’s game, the key to success for Pittsburgh is shutting down the Jets’ short game and praying that Minkah Fitzpatrick can hold down the fort over the top. With Alex Highsmith potentially back in the lineup, the Steelers should be able to get some pressure on Rodgers to force some mistakes and frustrations. It’ll be a tough matchup on Sunday, but a winnable one.
And what about the Jets defense?
Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images
The Jets came into the season with a defense that was theoretically good enough to take them to a Super Bowl if Aaron Rodgers could stay healthy and return to form. Rodgers has not held up his end of the bargain yet, but the Jets defense has been one of the better units in the league. They had a rough Week One against the Niners, but hey, the Steelers know how that goes.
Against the pass, the Jets have allowed the third-fewest yards (1,021), the second-fewest touchdowns (4), and the seventh-lowest QB passer rating (81.4). Against the run, they rank 18th, allowing 745 yards on 175 carries. The five rushing touchdowns they allowed thus far have them roughly middle of the pack with several other teams.
The Jets are third in the league with 20 sacks, but their pass rush is missing Jermaine Johnson for the rest of the year. Will McDonald leads the team with seven sacks, but a review of the film shows many of his sacks to be coverage sacks or plays where the quarterback made a poor decision to leave the pocket. If there is one pass rusher the Steelers should be concerned about, it’s the big man in the middle Quinnen Williams.
What am I most concerned about in this week's matchup against the Jets? The Steelers will be starting third-string center Ryan McCollum against *gulp* Quinnen Williams. 95 is a problem pic.twitter.com/ZTkVVsRBc8
— Ryan Parish (@RyanParishmedia) October 16, 2024
In the post-Aaron Donald era, Williams is in the discussion for best interior linemen in the league. Shockingly quick for a man of his size, Williams is a problem the Steelers will need to account for on all three downs as he is effective at blowing up the run just as much as the pass. In the third clip above, he destroys a run play on Monday Night Football by pushing the Bills’ guard like a ragdoll into the running lane. I’m nervous for backup center Ryan McCollum to put it lightly.
The Jets have one of the better pass coverage units in the league, but injuries could keep several key players out. DJ Reed has excelled as All-Pro corner Sauce Gardner’s running mate, but a groin injury in the second half of Monday night’s game could keep him out. The Jets also lost starting safety and former Raven Chuck Clark. Nickel corner Michael Carter II has missed time with a back injury and his status remains unclear. Brandin Echols has filled in for Reed while journeyman Isaiah Oliver filled in for Carter and could see more time at nickel against Pittsburgh. Ashtyn Davis takes over for Clark. Linebackers Quincy Williams and safety convert Jamien Sherwood give the Jets a pair of plus-coverage players at the second level, CJ Mosely — another former Raven that Steelers fans will recognize — spells in as the third linebacker. Despite the highly-rated pass coverage by the Jets, they’ve struggled to turn the ball over with only two interceptions thus far.
Per PFF, the Jets play man coverage at the ninth-highest rate (29.3%), though that might change depending on the team’s trust in its depth. They like to create pressure with four rushers, with only 27 of their 65 pressures this season coming on a blitz.
Join in on Steelers R&R by sharing your takes on this week’s topics. Still want to talk quarterbacks? Wide receiver trade targets? How do the Steelers match up against the Jets? Let us know in the comments! Feel free to pitch future questions in the comment section or on Twitter/X: tag @_Ryland_B or @RyanParishMedia.
