The Pittsburgh Steelers made a move for a wide receiver at the 2024 NFL trade deadline, but it wasn't one that the fan base was necessarily excited about. Steeler Nation wanted a top-flight starting receiver that could burn through defenses and open up more opportunities for George Pickens. Instead, Omar Khan traded for Mike Williams, who is not expected to make a big impact immediately. The move seemed somewhat underwhelming, as there is no certainty that he will eventually start for the Steelers. He could be good depth, but most fans wanted a lot more firepower to the offense.
New York Jets
Mike Williams walks out of the tunnel at Acrisure Stadium before playing the Steelers in 2024.
Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith had a little fun with the desires of the fan base. Of course, they want the best player available, but Smith assures everyone that that doesn't always make sense.
Arthur Smith jokes about trades/ roster building: "Sometimes people get lost. They act like my 11-year-old playing Madden with the salary cap off.... Chemistry and fit matters."
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) November 7, 2024
Smith is right about that. You can't just load up on talent when the scheme does not line up. Under their new offensive coordinator, the Steelers have made it pretty obvious what their identity is. They are a power-run team first, and they like to use play-action to throw deep.
Sebastian Foltz / Post-Gazette
Steelers Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith and wide receiver George Pickens share some words with one another as the team practices at the UPMC Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, PA.
The question then turns to how Williams would fit in this scheme. For starters, he has a very similar skill set to Pickens, so his initial role will most likely be as a depth piece behind him. Even though Williams is obviously not as talented as the young receiver, he can still go deep and give his quarterback a chance to make a splash play. Once he gets adjusted to the Steelers' system more, his role could grow in the final stretch of the season.
"Unrealistic" Steelers' Receiver Options
One option that everyone salivated at was acquiring DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks. He is a physical freak that can't be covered when he is at his best. Metcalf has been rumored to be on the trade block in some capacity for a while now, so why shouldn't the Steelers go out and get him?
Well, the primary reason is, like Williams, his skill set is similar to Pickens. Unlike Williams, there is no way that Metcalf will be able to take on a depth role. Pickens may not be able to run many routes exceptionally well, but Metcalf is a pure "go deep" guy. Smith can't just run "4 Verts" on every single play. If they want a new starting wideout, they need someone that can run routes effectively.
LAPRESSE
Former Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson and star wide receiver Courtland Sutton celebrate a touchdown.
Courtland Sutton seemed like a quality option for the Steelers, especially since he has some level of chemistry with Russell Wilson. The problem with that scenario, however, came down to price. If Khan refused to give up a first-round pick for Brandon Aiyuk, why would he overpay for the only reliable receiver that the Denver Broncos have? He may be the "Khan Artist," but that doesn't mean he can get anyone he wants for a fifth-round pick.
Ironically, the Steelers did make a steal of a deal that fit their scheme, except it was for the defense. Preston Smith wanted nothing to do with the Green Bay Packers' new 4-3 scheme, so the Steelers sent a mere seventh-round pick over to pick him up. Even though Preston Smith will only be a depth piece, the Steelers will give him a chance to thrive in the correct system, like Arthur Smith talked about.
What do you think about Arthur Smith joking about how they can't make Madden-like trades in real life? Do you think Williams is a good scheme fit for the Steelers? Let us know in the comments.
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