The Pittsburgh Steelers have been connected to trade talks by multiple NFL insiders.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted that Pittsburgh, along with the Kansas City Chiefs are two teams to keep an eye on as it pertains to a trade for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. And now, Jason La Canfora has named Los Angels Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey as a potential target for Pittsburgh.
“After decades of operating as a conservative front office, the Steelers are wheeler-dealers now,” La Canfora writes. “One scout suggested to me that someone like Chargers wideout Ladd McConkey might be the kind of target Rodgers would enjoy throwing to to help sustain drives. Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jaguars is another name to keep an eye on.”
McConkey has seen his production take a step back in both 2025, and thus far in 2026, as compared to his terrific rookie season in 2024. In five games this season, he has just 13 receptions on an 0-6 Chargers team. In 2025, his reception total dipped down to 66 catches from 82 receptions in 2024. Considering where the Chargers are right now, it would make sense to see them sell ahead of the trade deadline.
McConkey splits time on the perimeter and in the slot. So far in 2026, about 53 percent of his snaps have come o the perimeter with 46 percent of snaps in the slot, and the remaining snaps have him line up inline. Should Pittsburgh want to bring McConkey into their receiving corps, it would give them another player who is boundary and slot versatile, while also adding a 1,000-yard receiver to the group.
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