3 Reasons the Steelers Should Be Sellers at the 2022 NFL Trade Deadline

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in danger of ending their streak of 18 straight seasons with a .500 record or better.

Pittsburgh has experienced a litany of issues in five games that left it at 1-4 with not a lot of promise to improve right away.

Mike Tomlin's team could be one of the more notable sellers at the trade deadline because of where it sits in the standings.

Pittsburgh is already two games back of the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North, and it could have a single win by the time its Week 9 bye rolls around.

The Steelers could struggle in the coming weeks because of their difficult schedule, the growing pains of their rookie quarterback and a lackluster defense playing without its top star.

Upcoming Schedule Will Put Pittsburgh in Deep Hole

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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: Zach Gentry #81 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is tackled by Taron Johnson #7 of the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Highmark Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh's 38-3 loss at the hands of the Buffalo Bills may just be a start of things to come.

The Steelers host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6 and then go on the road to face the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles in Weeks 7 and 8.

There is a real possibility that the Steelers head into their Week 9 bye with a 1-7 record and far closer to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft than to the AFC postseason picture.

Pittsburgh has two games with the Baltimore Ravens and one more with the Cincinnati Bengals out of the bye, and there could be more losses elsewhere on the schedule.

The Steelers may be more than willing to deal some veteran players or those on expiring contracts if they sit at 1-7 before the November 1 trade deadline.

The offense could improve under Kenny Pickett, but that unit did not show many positive signs against a Super Bowl contender on Sunday, and that may the case as well over the next few weeks.

Offense Needs Time to Click

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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)

Kenny Pickett needs time to work into a rhythm inside the Pittsburgh offense.

Few rookie quarterbacks step into the lineup and achieve success immediately. Pickett's situation would be tough for any rookie to thrive in.

Najee Harris is underachieving at running back, and the wide receiver corps has not produced as much as it is capable of through five weeks.

Harris is averaging 3.2 yards per carry, so he is not providing much support for the quarterbacks so far this season.

Diontae Johnson has played well in the passing game, but Chase Claypool has been underwhelming, and George Pickens is just working into his role in the offense with a fellow rookie under center.

The Pickett-Pickens combination could look impressive by the end of the season, but right now, both players are working on their chemistry with their entire unit.

Pickett is going to need a few games to feel 100 percent comfortable in his offense, and that time may come later than expected because of the three upcoming opponents in October.

Pittsburgh must have patience with its 2022 first-round draft pick, but that may come with a bevy of losses, and it may trigger some departures on the trade market in order to collect some extra draft capital.

Defense Is Posting Poor Numbers

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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Buffalo Bills is tackled by James Pierre #42 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh's defense has given up the third-most total yards in the NFL.

The Steelers are one of four franchises to have allowed over 2,000 total yards through five games. The Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions and Houston Texans are the others.

Pittsburgh is coming off a season-worst concession of 552 total yards in the Week 5 loss to Buffalo.

The Steelers rank in the bottom 10 in almost every major defensive category, and the solution for the struggles may not be close with T.J. Watt sidelined for an extended period of time.

Pittsburgh is doing well in the turnover department. The Steelers produced multiple turnovers in three of their five games, but it only won the turnover margin in one of those games.

A defensive fire sale is not likely because that rarely happens in the NFL, but the team might be willing to part ways with Levi Wallace, Cameron Sutton or others with contracts that are up at the end of the regular season.