Overview
- The Steelers made no trades at Tuesday's NFL trade deadline and kept the roster unchanged while sitting 6-2 and leading the AFC North.
- Pittsburgh actively pursued receivers during the lead-up to the deadline, including reported talks on Calvin Ridley and interest in Josh Downs and Brian Thomas Jr., but those targets were not acquired.
- Team decision-makers cited a need to preserve draft capital for a post-Rodgers quarterback search as a central reason for declining to surrender picks for midseason help.
- Coaches and players say the club will rely on injured receivers returning, schematic changes and internal options such as Germie Bernard and Ben Skowronek to boost a passing game that has underperformed.
- Pittsburgh's top-of-division defense and run game have masked passing issues so far, but the club's long-term planning for a quarterback transition raises the chance the team will seek reinforcement in free agency or the draft rather than at future trade deadlines.