The NFL trade deadline is rapidly approaching, which means talks are heating up around the league. One team to watch ahead of the Nov. 5 deadline is the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Whenever a wide receiver has hit the market, the Steelers reportedly expressed interest. While they weren’t able to land Davante Adams, Amari Cooper, DeAndre Hopkins, or a reunion with Diontae Johnson, could Pittsburgh pull off a trade for a veteran WR over the next 24 hours?
Steelers Acquire a Veteran WR From the Panthers
Trade Proposal
Steelers acquire: Adam Thielen and a seventh-round pick
Panthers acquire: Scotty Miller and a sixth-round pick
The Carolina Panthers are 2-7 and have already emerged as sellers ahead of the deadline, dealing their best wide receiver, Johnson, to the Baltimore Ravens. Perhaps they’ll also be willing to move Thielen for a late-round pick swap and Miller?
This season, Thielen has appeared in three games, totaling eight receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown. He has been on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury since Week 3, but the Panthers opened his three-week practice window on Oct. 23.
In Thielen’s absence, the Panthers have leaned on rookie wide receivers Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker, who have made the most of their increased snaps. Carolina is clearly rebuilding and focused on developing their young pieces, so moving on from Thielen could clear the way for Legette and Coker to keep starting while also adding an extra draft pick.
While Thielen hasn’t produced much this season, he is just one year removed from recording 103 receptions, 1,014 yards, and four touchdowns despite poor quarterback play from Bryce Young.
Adam Thielen highlights…. pic.twitter.com/FLjt39DNfa
— Chris_G ⚫️🟡 (@CGillis2021) October 28, 2024
Throughout his 11-year NFL career, Thielen has played in 155 games and totaled 645 receptions for 7,805 receiving yards and 61 touchdowns.
The Steelers’ wide receiver rotation currently consists of George Pickens, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, and Miller. Roman Wilson (hamstring) and Ben Skowronek (shoulder) are on injured reserve. Pittsburgh desperately needs a reliable WR2, so Thielen could be the perfect piece for this team, and they wouldn’t have to give up much to acquire him.
The Steelers currently average the fourth-fewest passing touchdowns per game (1.0) and seventh-fewest passing yards per game (190), yet they are 6-2. This trade would fill a major need and bolster their offense for a playoff run.
Thielen has one year left on his contract, and his cap hit will be $8.4 million next season. The Steelers currently project to have $74.3 million in cap space in 2025 (eighth-most in the NFL), so they can afford to take on Thielen.
While Thielen obviously isn’t as sexy an addition as, say, Adams or Cooper, he’s still a potential difference-maker who could make life easier for Russell Wilson and become his security blanket.
Thielen went undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft, but the former Minnesota State star became a two-time Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro who holds the NFL record for most consecutive 100-yard receiving games with eight (tied with Calvin Johnson).