Steelers Solve Greatest Need By Trading For A.J. Brown, DJ Moore In Conceptual Offseason Acquisition

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ first season under new head coach Mike McCarthy will be closely watched, as he becomes just the fourth head coach in the franchise since 1969. Naturally, much of the conversation has focused on the coaching staff, but attention is now shifting to the roster. One area in particular that has struggled for several seasons is the wide receiver room, which remains unsettled and in need of a major upgrade.

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Former Steelers wide receiver George Pickens visibly frustrated on the sidelines during a 2024 NFL game.

The Steelers traded away George Pickens, who has since joined the Dallas Cowboys and quickly emerged as one of the NFL’s most productive wide receivers. Currently, Pittsburgh has DK Metcalf leading the group, but after him, there are few players who inspire confidence. The team is well aware of the need for a dynamic playmaker, and speculation is growing that they could pursue another blockbuster trade to address this glaring weakness.

According to NFL Draft expert Daniel Jeremiah, who discussed the situation on his podcast Move the Sticks, the Steelers have plenty of draft capital to make a significant move. Jeremiah predicts Pittsburgh will likely be banging on the door to acquire a superstar wide receiver, with names like A.J. Brown or DJ Moore being potential targets mentioned. Such a move could instantly transform the offense and give McCarthy the weapons he needs to succeed in his first season.

“If A.J. Brown were to become available, if there’s other wide receivers that ended up on the trade market, they’ve already done this once with DK [Metcalf],” Jeremiah said while chatting to his audience on his Move the Sticks podcast. “They could very easily parlay one of those third-round picks and to try to free another wide receiver from somewhere else, whether that’s DJ Moore, whoever else might pop on the trade market.”

Right now, the Steelers are expected to have 12 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, which will be hosted in Pittsburgh. They hold three third-round selections, thanks in part to the compensatory pick they received from trading Pickens. 

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Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown catches a football during pre-game warmups.

This gives the team an opportunity to leverage their draft capital, potentially packaging picks including the one acquired from Pickens’ trade to create flexibility for pursuing a top wide receiver on the trade market.

“They have that luxury as well to be able to pull off a trade,” Jeremiah said while speaking about the Steelers trading for a star wide receiver.

Naturally, Brown comes to mind as an option, as he remains one of the most talented wide receivers in the NFL despite ongoing speculation about his dissatisfaction with the Philadelphia Eagles. While the Eagles managed to win a Super Bowl in the 2024 NFL season, reports have suggested that tensions involving Brown never fully disappeared. 

During the 2025 season, those issues reportedly intensified, contributing to what was considered a disappointing title defense by the organization’s own standards. With Philadelphia potentially looking to reshape parts of its roster, a major trade could be on the table.

Steelers Could Get Lethal Wide Receiver Room Over Night

For the Steelers, this type of opportunity is always worth monitoring. It is no secret that General Manager Omar Khan routinely explores the market for elite talent that can elevate the roster. Pairing a player like Brown with Metcalf would immediately give Pittsburgh one of the most dangerous receiving duos in football and transform the offense.

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DJ Moore of the Bears takes the field during the NFL preseason 2025 game between the Bills and the Bears at Soldier Field on August 17, 2025 in Chicago.

Another name frequently mentioned is Moore of the Chicago Bears. Moore is a proven veteran and a complete wide receiver who would complement Metcalf well. The lingering question is whether Chicago’s asking price would be worth the investment for Khan and the Steelers.

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