The Pittsburgh Steelers/20354/”>Steelers ended Week 4 on a high note with a strong offensive showing, racking up 224 yards in the second half.
However, there’s still room for improvement, particularly at wide receiver, where George Pickens is the clear No. 1 option, but the team lacks a strong complement. One potential solution for the Steelers could be acquiring three-time All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams, who might soon be available on the NFL trade market.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Las Vegas Raiders have indicated they are willing to “consider” trading Adams in exchange for a package that includes at least a second-round draft pick. Schefter reported this news on October 1, which has fueled speculation about where Adams might land.
“ESPN sources: Raiders have informed other teams that they would ‘consider’ trading WR Davante Adams for a package that would include a second-round pick and additional compensation,” Schefter shared on X (formerly known as Twitter).
PennLive.com’s Nick Farabaugh is among those predicting that the Steelers will pursue Adams, especially since they have reportedly inquired about him previously.
“The Steelers inquired about Adams this summer, so they will 100% do it during the season, too,” Farabaugh wrote.
The Raiders originally acquired Adams from the Green Bay Packers in March 2022 and subsequently signed him to a five-year, $140 million contract. Despite his star power, there were rumors of a possible trade during the summer, and those rumblings have only grown louder as the Raiders have struggled through the early part of the 2024 season.
Social Media Buzz Ignites Trade Speculation
Fueling the fire of trade rumors is the fact that Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce has been critical of his team’s performance in recent weeks. After a disappointing Week 3 loss to the Carolina Panthers, Pierce accused some of his players of making “business decisions” on the field rather than focusing on team success. He later apologized for the remark, but his social media activity continued to stir controversy.
On October 1, Pierce liked a post on Instagram that referenced a tweet from Sports Illustrated’s Michael Fabiano, which speculated that Adams might have already played his last game for the Raiders.
Adams, appearing on FanDuel TV’s “Up and Adams” show, addressed the situation, though he admitted to being uncertain about the implications of the liked post.
“I don’t really know exactly what that was about,” Adams told host Kay Adams. “Social media is a beast, so it’s a lot of people out there that saw it and is wondering what’s going on.”
He added that he hasn’t had any discussions with the team about the incident, saying, “It’s one of those situations where I keep my head down and keep doing my thing and let the chips fall where they may. There’s been no communication from the team since it became a thing.”
Adding to the speculation, Steelers running back Cordarrelle Patterson weighed in on the situation, responding to a clip of Adams’ interview by tweeting, “Sounds like he wanna be a Steeler.”
Adams was sidelined for the Raiders’ Week 4 game against the Cleveland Browns due to a hamstring injury. According to NFL.com’s Kevin Patra, Adams’ absence, coupled with Pierce’s social media actions, has only heightened the rumors surrounding a potential trade.
How Davante Adams Could Fit in Pittsburgh
At 31, Adams may no longer be at the absolute peak of his career, but he remains one of the NFL’s most productive wide receivers and would provide a significant boost to the Steelers’ passing game.
The Steelers entered the 2024 season with George Pickens as their only proven receiving option. Through four games, Pickens remains the only Pittsburgh wideout averaging more than two receptions per game. While third-year receiver Calvin Austin III has had a few impressive moments, such as a 55-yard touchdown reception, he’s still largely unproven.
The rest of the Steelers’ receiving corps has struggled to make an impact. Veterans Van Jefferson and Scotty Miller have combined for just seven catches and 67 yards over the first four games.
While the Steelers want to be a run-heavy offense under coordinator Arthur Smith, that strategy has been difficult to implement, partly due to injuries along the offensive line. Defenses have been able to stack the box against the Steelers, as Pickens is the only wide receiver they see as a real threat.
Adams could change that dynamic immediately. His mere presence on the field would draw attention from defenses, opening up opportunities for Pickens and other receivers while giving quarterback Kenny Pickett another reliable target.
Adams has been one of the NFL’s elite receivers for nearly a decade, amassing five seasons with 100 or more catches and 1,000 yards. He made six consecutive Pro Bowls from 2017-22 and was named first-team All-Pro three times between 2020-22. He led the league in touchdown receptions in both 2020 and 2022, and he recorded back-to-back 1,500-yard seasons in 2021 and 2022.
Last year, despite the Raiders’ struggles, Adams hauled in 103 catches for 1,144 yards and eight touchdowns. Through three games this season, he’s managed 18 receptions for 209 yards and one touchdown.
If the Steelers are serious about upgrading their receiving corps, pursuing a trade for Adams could be a game-changing move for their offense.
