Steelers sit 6-2 as trade deadline and Eagles flex loom
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
The 6-2 Steelers are ranked No. 10 after a 26-7 win over Cleveland, with the Nov.
Insiders split on whether Pittsburgh adds a wide receiver, so deadline day is the thing to watch.
Background
The Pittsburgh Steelers are an NFL team now coached by Mike McCarthy, and they sit atop their division at 6-2 through nine weeks. They have dealt with injuries at wide receiver — Michael Pittman and Roman Wilson are both on injured reserve — while DK Metcalf, the seventh-highest paid receiver in the NFL, ranks 22nd in catches and 26th in yards. That injury picture is why trade talk has built ahead of the November 10 deadline, even as insiders disagree on whether Pittsburgh will actually move.
How it unfolded
- Oct 29, 2026Head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters every Steelers player on injured reserve may have a shot at returning in 2026.
- Nov 1, 2026The Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns 26-7 in Week 8, with 361 total yards (200 rushing), two forced turnovers, no touchdowns allowed and eight sacks of Deshaun Watson.
- Nov 3, 2026FOX Sports' Monday Morning Top 10 rankings placed the Steelers at No. 10 in the league after the Cleveland win.
- Nov 4, 2026Steelers insider Gerry Dulac said via 102.5 DVE that Pittsburgh isn't expected to make a move before the November 10 trade deadline.
- Nov 6, 2026On the Chalk Talk radio show, outside linebacker Jack Sawyer hinted Sebastian Joseph-Day may not return in 2026.
- Nov 7, 2026ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler said on a Reddit Ask Me Anything that the Steelers are among a few NFL teams expected to be interested in wide receivers, naming Brian Thomas Jr., Josh Downs and Calvin Ridley as wideouts who could be dealt.
- Nov 9, 2026The NFL flexed the Steelers' Week 11 game at the Philadelphia Eagles on November 22 from 4:25 p.m. to 1 p.m., to air on CBS (KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh).
- Nov 9, 2026The Jacksonville Jaguars made a splash trade ahead of Tuesday's deadline; the Jaguars and Steelers both lead their divisions at 6-2, with Jacksonville at the No. 3 seed and Pittsburgh at No. 4.
- Nov 9, 2026The Steelers got positive injury updates on Michael Pittman Jr. and Derrick Harmon.
Key terms
- wide receiver
- An offensive position in gridiron football whose main job is to catch passes, lined up wide from the formation.
- injured reserve
- A designation in North American pro sports leagues for athletes who are injured and unable to play.
- flexed
- A game played during the NFL's regular season, the 272-game schedule before the playoffs.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler said the Steelers are among a few NFL teams expected to be interested in wide receivers at the deadline, naming Brian Thomas Jr. and Josh Downs as key names.
- Caution
- Steelers insider Gerry Dulac said the team is not looking to make a move and certainly not looking to get rid of a player, arguing a 6-2 contender won't trade one of its players.
- Party
- Outside linebacker Jack Sawyer said the team is looking forward to getting Derrick back but it 'sucks' they may not get Sebastian Joseph-Day back at all.
Still unverified
Sawyer's comments only 'hinted' that Sebastian Joseph-Day may not return in 2026, and the report says a player 'may have accidentally leaked' the update. Trade speculation linking the Steelers to wide receivers is described as rumors, with no move confirmed.