Steelers’ biggest problem to fix during 2026 bye week

Steelers’ biggest problem to fix during 2026 bye week appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be in a dynamic position as they are in first place in the AFC North with a 6-2 record. They recorded a one-sided 27-6 triumph over the second-place Cleveland Browns in Week 8, and they have a week to rest up and get healthy before facing the scorching hot Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10. The Steelers cannot rest on their laurels. While they have a strong team and can make winning plays on both sides of the ball, their play at the wide receiver position has been questionable. The big reason for that is the inconsistent performance of wide out D.K. Metcalf. It’s clear that head coach Mike McCarthy was hoping that Metcalf would be a major contributor to the offense and he would develop an explosive rapport with QB Aaron Rodgers , but it has not played out that way. Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial) The numbers the Steelers receivers have put together are not impressive. Metcalf is at the top of Pittsburgh’s WR list, but he has caught just 33 passes for 378 yards with 1 touchdown. He has been targeted 65 times and he has struggled to serve as a dependable target for Rodgers. In addition to laboring when it comes to making the catches that are expected, he is not providing any significant run after the catch ability. He is averaging just 11.5 yards per reception, and that’s significantly below the numbers he has put on the board in his previous seven years. He averaged 14.4 yards per catch on his 59 receptions last year with the Steelers, and he had a career-best mark of 16.9 yards per catch while with the Seahawks in in 2023. Supporting receivers have helped, but more is needed Running back Jaylen Warren is having a solid year, and he has rushed for a team-leading 704 yards while averaging an impressive 5.9 yards per carry. He has also come through as a receiver. Warren has caught 25-294-1 and that makes him the team’s second-leading receiver on the team. Rodgers has had his greatest success throwing to tight end Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth. Washington has used his size and strength to wall off defenders and make key catches. He has caught 19-254-3. Freiermuth has caught 25-235-4, and his greatest ability is coming through on third downs and in the red zone. McCarthy gameplan calls for additional WR strength There really isn’t much room for debate when it comes to the Steelers wide receiving crew. It simply is not productive enough to give the Steelers a chance to compete with the best teams that Pittsburgh is likely to see when the team competes in the postseason. General manager Omar Khan has to help McCarthy and Rodgers out by making a key trade or two prior to the Nov. 10 deadline. One of the receivers that the Steelers need to look at potentially acquire in a trade includes Josh Downs of the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts appear to be out of contention at this point in the season because they have a 2-6 record and they are battling the Tennessee Titans (1-7) to see which team will finish in the AFC South cellar. The Colts have already traded star offensive guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and they are reportedly considering a trade of running back Jonathan Taylor. Downs has the skills to upgrade the WR position While it has not been announced that the Colts are officially in a rebuild mode, that’s just where they are at this point. Downs has already asked for a trade, and he could be a perfect fit in the Steelers system. He is a dependable receiver who has already caught 30 passes for 330 yards with 1 touchdown this season, and 19 of his receptions have resulted in first downs. The 5-9, 171-pound Downs is in his fourth year since being selected in the third round by the Colts out of North Carolina. He is an outstanding route runner with more than enough quickness to get open and present himself as an ideal target opposite Metcalf. He is in the final year of his rookie contract, and after catching a career-best 72-803-5 in 2024, he will be motivated to put impressive numbers on the board for both the Steelers and for the purpose of his improving his next contract offer. Jennings may be a solid fit The Steelers may also want to take a look at Jauan Jennings of the Minnesota Vikings. Jennings signed with Minnesota in the offseason after five years with the San Francisco 49ers. The veteran receiver appeared to be a solid No. 3 wideout for Minnesota behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but the Vikings’ passing game has slowed to a crawl this year and none of their receivers are putting impressive numbers together because the team has gotten poor QB play from Kyler Murray. Jennings is a proven commodity who has caught 55-643-9 last season with the Niners, and he had a career-best 77-975-6 in 2024. A chance to catch passes from Rodgers would be a positive development for Jennings and it could give the Steelers the impetus they need to develop a dynamic passing game.     Related: Steelers lineman gets ‘run blocking’ flowers from Mina Kimes Related: Are Steelers a real-deal Super Bowl contender after dismantling Browns for first place?