Metcalf led Pittsburgh with 850 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2025, but the rest of the receiving corps lagged behind. Kenneth Gainwell and Pat Freiermuth tied for 486 yards, with Freiermuth also leading the group with four TDs. The overall lack of consistent downfield threats persisted even with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers under center, highlighting the need for a bigger offensive boost.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine proposed a potential pathway: target Brian Thomas Jr. from the Jacksonville Jaguars on the trade market. Thomas would bring a high-end playmaker to pair with Metcalf, and his rookie contract would help the Steelers manage cap pressure while chasing offensive upside.
Thomas’ production has fluctuated. After a 2024 breakout season of 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 TDs, he slipped to 48 catches for 707 yards and three TDs in 2025. The Jaguars’ offense also featured third-year receiver Parker Washington emerging as Jacksonville’s top option, posting 58 receptions for 847 yards and five TDs in 2025, complicating any decision to move Thomas.
From Jacksonville’s perspective, Thomas remains attractive but would come at a price. He has two years left on his rookie deal, with a base of about $1.075 million in 2026 and $2.794 million in 2027, and a modest cap hit, per Spotrac. The real hurdle is Jacksonville’s willingness to relinquish a productive, cost-controlled asset, especially after paying a steep price to draft Travis Hunter in 2025 and holding a 2026 first-round pick that Pittsburgh might be reluctant to surrender.
Ultimately, the potential Brian Thomas Jr. trade represents a measured, though uncertain, path for the Steelers to fortify an offense that still seeks long-term quarterback clarity. If McCarthy and Pittsburgh opt to pursue a high-end target to pair with Metcalf, it would likely involve weighing the cost of a first-round pick against the immediate impact a rookie contract recipient could provide.
