In the weeks leading up to the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 4, it was no secret the Pittsburgh Steelers desperately wanted to add another wide receiver.
The Steelers reportedly made calls to the Miami Dolphins about Jaylen Waddle and the New Orleans Saints about Rashid Shaheed, who was ultimately traded to the Seattle Seahawks, but deals failed to materialize with either team.
“The Dolphins held firm on wanting a first-rounder and maybe more for Waddle and despite calls from teams such as the Steelers and Broncos, he stayed in Miami,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said.
But Pittsburgh’s bad luck didn’t end there.
The team also reportedly called the Las Vegas Raiders about trying to acquire Jakobi Meyers, and the Steelers made a strong offer: fourth- and sixth-round picks for the former 1,000-yard wideout — the same deal the Jacksonville Jaguars offered.
However, between the two teams, Meyers reportedly preferred to play in Jacksonville with quarterback Trevor Lawrence and head coach Liam Coen than to end up in Pittsburgh with QB Aaron Rodgers and head coach Mike Tomlin.
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“Steelers insider Mark Kaboly says the Steelers offered the Raiders 4th and 6th round picks just like the Jaguars,” Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan reported. “The Raiders let Meyers pick where he wanted to go. And he chose THE JAGUARS!!!!”
Not only did Meyers snub the Steelers, but so did Shaheed, according to Chris Halicke of DK Pittsburgh Sports.
Halicke reported the Steelers offered the Saints fourth- and fifth-round picks for Shaheed — the same deal the Seahawks offered — and Shaheed reportedly didn’t want to go to Pittsburgh.
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Instead, he chose to reunite with former Saints and current Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
Aside from addition DK Metcalf, who leads the team with 29 catches, 467 yards, and five touchdowns, the Steelers have struggled in the receiving game. Calvin Austin III is the only other WR with more than nine receptions and 115 yards.
Five of Pittsburgh’s seven pass-catchers are either running backs or tight ends.
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