Steelers Rumors: Adam Thielen, Darius Slayton Trades Eyed Before Mike Williams Deal

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a splash at the NFL trade deadline by adding Mike Williams from the New York Jets, but they also had their eyes on a few more receivers.

Per The Athletic's Joseph Person, the Steelers called the Carolina Panthers about wide receiver Adam Thielen.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler also reported Tuesday that Pittsburgh showed interest in New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton.

Thielen was the Panthers' leading receiver a year ago when he had 1,014 yards and four touchdowns, but he's spent most of the 2024 season on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury. Even with Thielen out of commission, Carolina thought it was best to keep a veteran on a young roster.

Slayton has the second-most receiving yards for the Giants this season with 469, only behind standout rookie Malik Nabers. He also has a touchdown through nine games.

While Thielen and Slayton perhaps would have been more desirable options for the Steelers offense, they still got a solid receiver in Williams. The eighth-year player has been stuck in a deep wide receiver room highlighted by Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams, leaving him with few targets to show for so far this season.

He has just 12 receptions for 166 receiving yards through nine games, but should see his numbers improve in Pittsburgh. In his last full season in 2021, Williams had 1,146 receiving yards and nine touchdowns while with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Injuries have been a factor over the last two seasons and being in New York didn't give him the best chance to find his rhythm.

There's a good chance he'll be the Steelers' second option behind George Pickens, so he could be due for a strong second half of the year.