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Wide receiver DK Metcalf of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

New Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy has put together what looks like a promising staff heading into his first season.

McCarthy has already reconnected with familiar names from his Green Bay Packers days, including offensive line coach James Campen and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. He’s also added Jahri Evans as assistant offensive line coach, among other hires.

Now comes the harder part.

Building a staff is one thing, but if McCarthy is going to keep the Steelers in the playoff conversation, the roster has to take a step forward — especially on offense.

Pittsburgh’s offense showed flashes in 2025, but the inconsistency was hard to ignore. Quarterback remains the biggest question, particularly with Aaron Rodgers’ future unclear, but adding another true playmaker to pair with wide receiver DK Metcalf could be just as important.

Steelers Need More Help Next to DK Metcalf

Metcalf clearly separated himself from the rest of Pittsburgh’s pass catchers in 2025, leading the team with 850 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

The next closest players in receiving yards were running back Kenneth Gainwell and tight end Pat Freiermuth, who each finished with 486. Freiermuth did edge Gainwell in touchdowns, 4-3.

The lack of consistent downfield threats was obvious, even with a veteran quarterback in Rodgers under center. That’s why Pittsburgh could be a team that explores the trade market this offseason.

Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine suggested one wide receiver trade target that makes sense for the Steelers: Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr.

“Brian Thomas Jr. saw his role and production slashed last season in Jacksonville,” Ballentine wrote. “He wouldn’t come cheap, but he would provide a talented receiver on a rookie contract.”

A move to Pittsburgh could be a reset for Thomas, and it would give McCarthy another high-end weapon to build around on offense. Pairing Thomas with Metcalf, along with Freiermuth and Gainwell as reliable options, would immediately make the Steelers a tougher team to defend — regardless of who is throwing the passes.

Why a Brian Thomas Jr. Trade Wouldn’t Be Cheap

Ballentine pointed out that Thomas likely wouldn’t come cheap, and that could be true even beyond the asking price in a deal.

Thomas has two years remaining on his rookie contract, with a base salary of $1.075 million in 2026 and $2.794 million in 2027, according to Spotrac. His cap hit would be minimal. However, the real cost would come down to what Jacksonville would demand in return, though Ballentine didn’t offer specifics.

Even with a dip in production, Thomas still had a strong second season.

In 2024, he broke out with 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 games. He played three fewer games in 2025 and finished with 48 catches for 707 yards — second on the team — with three touchdowns.

Under first-year head coach Liam Cohen, it was third-year receiver Parker Washington who emerged as Jacksonville’s top option, posting 58 receptions for 847 yards and five touchdowns.

The biggest question is whether the Jaguars would even entertain moving Thomas.

Jacksonville already paid a steep price to land Travis Hunter in the 2025 draft, giving up its 2026 first-round pick in the process. The Jaguars won’t make their first selection until Round 2 at No. 56.

And while the Steelers still hold their own first-round pick, it would be surprising to see Pittsburgh give it up for Thomas — especially with other roster needs and the long-term quarterback situation still unsettled.

Shane Shoemaker Shane Shoemaker is a sports journalist covering college football and the NFL for Heavy.com. His work has also appeared in The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, USA TODAY, and ClutchPoints, along with high school sports coverage for the Marion Tribune. More about Shane Shoemaker