Steelers GM shuts down wide receiver trade rumors

The Steelers have been subject to several trade rumors surrounding veteran wide receivers since dealing Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers earlier this offseason.

Some may have thought that chatter would be put to rest after Pittsburgh drafted Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson with its first third-round pick (No. 84) in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

On Monday, however, former Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden revealed the team may be dipping back in the wide receiver market.

"Ooooh, Omar is working. The Steelers are very close to landing a significant playmaker," McFadden posted on platform X.

That, of course, had Steelers fans speculating who the "significant playmaker" could be. 

Several veteran wide receivers, such as San Francisco 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, Denver Broncos' Courtland Sutton and Las Vegas Raiders' Davante Adams, were debated.

Unfortunately, general manager Omar Khan shut down the trade rumors on Tuesday.

"I heard about. I didn't exactly see it, but there's nothing going on right now," Khan said on "The Pat McAfee Show." "I'm not exactly sure what the verbiage was, what was reported, but nothing to report."

That doesn't mean Pittsburgh won't trade for a "significant playmaker" in the coming weeks or months, but the team seems content with its wide receiver room as of now.

Wilson wasn't viewed as one of the top wide receiver prospects in this year's draft, but he may turn out to be the perfect complement to George Pickens and Van Jefferson.

The 22-year-old hauled in 48 catches for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023 at Michigan.

The Steelers wide receiver room may not jump off the page, but it may be talented enough for a team that will have a run-first mentality under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

Plus, there's always a chance Pittsburgh adds that "significant playmaker" with the "Khan Artist" at the helm.