The Pittsburgh Steelers are officially out here wheeling and dealing, making moves that have the whole league talking. According to multiple NFL insiders, the Steel City front office, which used to be notoriously conservative, is now playing hardball in the trade market. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler is putting Pittsburgh, alongside the Kansas City Chiefs, on the radar for a potential trade for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. And if that wasn’t enough, Jason La Canfora just dropped another bombshell: Los Angeles Chargers wideout Ladd McConkey is also a serious target for Pittsburgh. This ain’t your grandpa’s Steelers, folks.
The New Age Steelers Are Here, And They Mean Business
La Canfora didn’t mince words: “After decades of operating as a conservative front office, the Steelers are wheeler-dealers now.” You love to see it! This new approach has them eyeing top talent, and McConkey is clearly on their radar. A scout even suggested to La Canfora that McConkey “might be the kind of target Rodgers would enjoy throwing to to help sustain drives.” Adding a player like McConkey to their receiving corps would instantly give them another versatile option, capable of playing both outside on the boundary and in the slot. We’re talking about a guy who’s shown he can be a 1,000-yard receiver. It’s exciting to imagine the kind of immediate impact he could have on that offense.
McConkey’s Rollercoaster Year and the Chargers’ Freefall
Now, let’s talk about McConkey himself. His production has admittedly dipped since his incredible rookie year in 2024. In 2025, his receptions dropped to 66 from a fantastic 82. This season, 2026, has been even tougher, with just 13 receptions in five games. A lot of that, though, has to be tied to the absolute mess happening in Los Angeles. The Chargers are sitting at a brutal 0-6 right now, and it makes perfect sense why they’d be looking to sell off assets ahead of the trade deadline. McConkey splits his snaps pretty evenly, with about 53 percent coming on the perimeter and 46 percent in the slot this season. That versatility is exactly what teams like Pittsburgh are looking for.
This potential trade is coming at a good time for Pittsburgh. They’ve strung together three straight wins, and their defense has reached elite territory. They’re opening as slight favorites against the Browns this week, coming off a solid Week 7 win over the Saints. Bringing in a player like McConkey, even with his recent dip in numbers, could add a major spark and deepen their receiving options.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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