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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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The Pittsburgh Steelers could've added a wide receiver or other players before the trade deadline to help Aaron Rodgers in what is expected to be his final season, but opted to stick with their current roster.
That decision raised questions about whether the Steelers have enough offensive firepower to contend for the remainder of the season. Other teams, such as the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, added new wide receivers to their rosters as they look to compete.
Rodgers was asked about the NFL trade deadline coming and going, and whether he'd hoped Pittsburgh would make a move.
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"I've learned to never hold my breath around a trade deadline because I don't know that I've ever been part of a team---other than when we got Davante [Adams] in New Jersey — where there was an addition," he said.
"You know, teams get interesting around the deadline, whether or not they want to move guys. I feel like in the last five years there's a lot more — not gonna say tanking necessarily, but teams looking to add draft capital if they don't think they're gonna make the playoffs, so there's a lot of teams that were offloading guys," Rodgers said in a video from ESPN's Brooke Pryor.
More news: Travis Kelce Sends Clear Message on Chiefs’ Josh Downs Trade
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When asked about the team's depth at wide receiver, Rodgers expressed confidence in the current players they have as far as getting to the playoffs. However, he also suggested they have to get healthy.
Pittsburgh is facing several key injuries to receivers on its depth chart. Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson are currently on injured reserve, leaving things a bit depleted at the position.
DK Metcalf is healthy and leads all Pittsburgh receivers with 33 receptions for 378 yards and a touchdown. Running back Jaylen Warren has also done well when catching passes from Rodgers, tallying 294 yards and a touchdown for the Steelers.
In addition, Rodgers has found tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington regularly, and they've combined for 489 yards and seven touchdowns.
While Pittman Jr. won't play this coming weekend, there is some optimism about his return timeline, suggesting he'll be back to face the Philadelphia Eagles, if not around Thanksgiving or post-Thanksgiving for the Steelers. Wilson, who suffered a dislocated finger in Week 5, is eligible to return in Week 11.
The Steelers have other options, including Brandon Johnson and Marquez Valdes-Scantling on the practice squad, if they need to add players at the position.
Currently, Pittsburgh is 6-2 and tied with the Cincinnati Bengals for the AFC North lead. The two division rivals meet in "Sunday Night Football" on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 8:20 p.m. ET.
More news: Stephen A Smith Rips Colts Over Major Trade Decision After NFL Deadline Passes
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