“Teams are very sensitive to the idea that they’d be shopping anybody,” Albert Breer revealed on The Herd on Thursday. Yet here stands Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh, 5-2, and hunting wide receivers like a kid in a candy store. First Davante Adams said no. Brandon Aiyuk stayed put.

Now Cooper Kupp’s name echoes through Steel City, and Jake Heaps just cranked up the volume today: “Cooper Kupp is NOT just a slot WR. When healthy Kupp is an elite ‘Z’ WR and chess piece.”

The dominos started falling on Wednesday. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported the Los Angeles Rams calling “multiple teams” about their Super Bowl hero. SportsBetting.ag installed Pittsburgh as the betting favorite (-125). The timing? Perfect. Kupp’s ankle has healed, just in time for Thursday’s Vikings matchup – his first game since Week 2.

“Teams that need receivers, they are going to call the Rams,” Breer explained to Colin Cowherd. “His reputation… if you want a guy for the playoffs, that’s the guy.” The numbers tell the story. Pittsburgh’s passing game resembles a one-man show – George Pickens (310 yards) leads by a mile, with tight end Pat Freiermuth (178) a distant second. Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III? They’re just keeping seats warm.

Wilson’s quarterback coach Heaps sees shades of Seattle: “Ever watch Russ throw to Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett? Both elite ‘Z’ WRs.” The Steelers‘ offensive struggles scream for help – just one 20+ point game in their first five outings. Russini’s report adds sugar to the coffee: the Rams “have indicated a willingness to take on some of the ’24 salary” from Kupp’s three-year, $80.1 million contract.

“Pittsburgh now is sitting there thinking we may win this Division,” Cowherd mused. They’ve already survived a quarterback carousel – Justin Fields to Russell Wilson – and emerged 5-2. The November 5 trade deadline looms like storm clouds over Steel City’s playoff dreams.

The price of the legacy of Cooper Kupp

“You have to look at both sides of it,” Breer broke it down.” The Rams see it as we’re trading a franchise icon, a guy who scored the winning points in the Super Bowl… establishing ourselves in Los Angeles.” The asking price? More than Davante Adams brought – at least a second-round pick.

But reality bites hard. “If you’re one of the teams acquiring him, you’re looking at him – 31 years old, can’t stay healthy, lots of mileage, this may be just a one-year rental,” Breer continued. Even the Raiders struggled to fetch a second-rounder for Adams in better circumstances.

“Not sure how realistic that potential trade is but he would be a great compliment to the great group they already have,” Heaps admitted. Kansas City already window-shopped Kupp before settling on DeAndre Hopkins. Yet Pittsburgh’s situation feels different – they’re not just buying a receiver, they’re buying Super Bowl experience.

Per Heaps, Kupp brings the full package: “Can play all over the field, can win on the entire route tree, and is a great blocker in the run game.” For a Steelers team that’s tried and failed to land both Adams and Aiyuk this year, maybe the third time’s the charm.