The Steelers are in a tough spot this season regarding their roster. It’s anything but smooth, especially with their QB woes still hanging over them like a cloud. On top of that, the WR spot has suddenly become a hot topic. After trading George Pickens, the Steelers brass found themselves scrambling to find a solid replacement before the season kicks off. After Pickens’s departure, a few names were in the mix, including Allen Lazard. But now, a new name has been floating around to alleviate Mike Tomlin‘s offense.

So, who is the player the Steelers are eyeing to fill Pickens’s shoes? According to rumors, the Steelers have been having serious talks with the Saints about WR Chris Olave. The 11th overall pick and the Saints’ first pick in the 2022 draft, Olave, is coming off an injury-plagued season. The 24-year-old suffered two concussions in the 2024 season. First, in Week 6, against Tampa Bay, which led him to sit out for the next game. Then, in Week 9, against the Panthers, the WR suffered another concussion, ending his season. The Ohio State alum finished the season recording 32 receptions, racking up 400 yards, and scoring one TD.

Over his three years in the NFL, Chris Olave has racked up 2,565 career yards. In his rookie season, the Ohio State alum caught 72 passes for 1,042 yards and 6 TDs, earning his first PFWA All-Rookie Team honors. The WR still has two years left on his $19.27 million contract with the Saints. 

So, while some rumors claim a Chris Olave trade might be in the works, Steelers beat writer Nick Farabaugh debunks those rumors. As per Farabaugh, the Saints are not ready to put Olave on the trade block just yet. He explains that it was more of a routine “due diligence” call, something teams do regularly to explore their options, even if a trade isn’t likely.

So, while the team’s WR situation remains up in the air, the Steelers are also facing some tough questions on the coaching front.

Mike Tomlin’s future under the spotlight amid team struggles

Under Coach Tomlin’s era, the Pittsburgh Steelers have never had a losing season. But their last championship came in the 2008 season. After that, the team made it to another Super Bowl in 2010, losing to the Packers. It’s been 14 seasons now since the Steelers have won any conference championship, let alone a Super Bowl. Honestly, the patience has been running thin now.

Since the end of the Ben Roethlisberger era, the team has been struggling to fix its offensive line. For years, the Steelers’ brass hasn’t been able to find a long-term solution for the most important position. This year, the team still seems stuck on Aaron Rodgers, even after having a solid chance to draft a top QB prospect in recent drafts.

It’s no secret that Aaron Rodgers has a certain reputation around the league—a quarterback who wants control over things inside the building, or at least in the locker room. A former Steelers player who briefly played under Mike Tomlin has some advice for his old coach. Ryan Clark, the former safety and Super Bowl XLIII champion, is urging Tomlin to leave Steel City and coach somewhere else.

“I believe Mike Tomlin should coach in another organization. Mike Tomlin should be a fresh voice somewhere else because I believe, as great as a coach he is, and he is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, his voice has run stale there,” Clark said. The 45-year-old believes Mike Tomlin has taken the Steelers as far as they can go with the current team and situation. They can only do better if they get a top-level quarterback. And if the Steelers’ brass isn’t making that happen, then the coach should use his genius somewhere else. “He needs to go and have his Andy Reid Kansas City run,” added Ryan.

Well, for now, that looks pretty tough since Mike just signed a contract with the Steelers last season. He’s locked in with the team through the 2027 season. So even if Pittsburgh lands Aaron Rodgers, Tomlin isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The real question is, can he finally silence the critics with a strong postseason run, or will the Steelers keep disappointing?