NFL Trade Rumors: Steelers to 'Monitor' WR Market After Failed Brandon Aiyuk Pursuit

Amid a 3-0 start to the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers are keeping an eye on wide receivers who might become available via trade as they look to solidify their status as playoff contenders in the AFC.

Per ESPN's Dan Graziano, the Steelers are expected to "monitor" the receiver market in the coming weeks after they were unable to finalize a deal with the San Francisco 49ers for Brandon Aiyuk in the offseason.

As the 49ers were negotiating a long-term contract with Aiyuk, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Aug. 14 they also agreed to the parameters of a trade with the Steelers for the All-Pro wideout if the Niners felt like they weren't going to get a deal done.

Aiyuk eventually signed a four-year, $120 million extension to remain in San Francisco on Aug. 30.

Pittsburgh's passing attack with Justin Fields at quarterback has been efficient, but it's lacking explosive plays at this point.

Some of that could be attributed to offensive coordinator Arthur Smith not calling for a lot of passes in an attempt to limit the possibility for turnovers that were a problem when Fields was with the Chicago Bears.

Pittsburgh's 75 pass attempts through three games are the sixth-fewest in the NFL. The strategy has worked because Fields has only thrown one interception, but he also has just two touchdown passes and the team ranks 29th in pass yards per game (158.3).

The Steelers' group of pass-catchers is very top heavy right now. George Pickens, Calvin Austin and tight end Pat Freiermuth have combined for 40 of the team's 71 total targets. Pickens and Austin are the only players with at least 100 receiving yards through Week 3.

While it's unclear who might fit what Pittsburgh is looking for, Graziano cited DeAndre Hopkins of the Tennessee Titans and Christian Kirk of the Jacksonville Jaguars as potential trade candidates if their teams make them available.

The NFL trade deadline is at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

The Steelers are one of five remaining undefeated teams in the NFL. They will look to improve their record to 4-0 on Sunday when they host the Indianapolis Colts.