There was very little to like about the Pittsburgh Steelers defense in Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Despite playing against a quarterback who had been with the team for nine days and a running offense ranked last in the league, the Steelers allowed 470 yards. Cincinnati averaged 6.7 net yards per pass attempt and 6.2 yards per rush.
No one played well. But the secondary particularly struggled at covering Bengals receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase posted a franchise-high 16 catches for 161 yards with a touchdown. Higgins had six receptions for 96 yards and a score.
Steelers captains Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt each called the performance “unacceptable.”
With the trade deadline quickly approaching, pundits have linked the Steelers to several different wide receivers through rumors.
Not that the Steelers couldn’t use another wideout. No Pittsburgh pass catcher besides DK Metcalf has at least 190 receiving yards this season.
But after the Steelers secondary did so poorly in Week 7, it’s worth wondering if general manager Omar Khan should consider potential cornerback additions.
Why the Steelers Should At Least Consider Acquiring Another CB
Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco was far too comfortable in the pocket against the Steelers on Thursday. Without much pressure, he had all the time he needed to deliver accurate throws downfield.
With that in mind, pundits could argue the Steelers should add another pass rusher before the NFL trade deadline.
The Steelers also had major issues in run defense. If the team acquired another defensive lineman to help on the ground, the secondary would perhaps look better.
“It’s not the secondary. That’s a cop-out,” Heyward said Thursday night, via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “I think the front line, we got to control the line of scrimmage a lot better. I’m pissed off. We didn’t take care of our job.”
However, it doesn’t make the most sense long term for the Steelers to add a defensive lineman. That could stunt the growth of Keeanu Benton or Derrick Harmon.
Along the edge, the Steelers already have Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig.
A cornerback addition could make the most sense. The Steelers shouldn’t be loyal to Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay if they aren’t living up to their reputations. Both of those veterans struggled against the Bengals.
The Steelers could use another, perhaps younger cornerback, to help push for the AFC North title.
Potential CB Targets Before 2025 NFL Trade Deadline
The problem, of course, with any addition the Steelers make on defense is finding a player who is an actual upgrade.
USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz listed 25 NFL trade candidates who could move before the 2025 deadline on October 15. Middlehurst-Schwartz included cornerbacks Riq Woolen and Roger McCreary on the list.
“[Woolen] missed Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a concussion, but the larger problem has been his erratic play, giving up a 113.6 passer rating so far this season as the nearest defender in coverage, according to Nex Gen Stats,” wrote Middlehurst-Schwartz. “Still, teams seldom find blazing-fast cornerbacks who measure in at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, and such players are even harder to obtain in the middle of the season.
Middlehurst-Schwartz called Woolen a “high risk” rental. McCreary is on the final year of his rookie contract, which makes him a rental as well.
Those cornerbacks being rentals shouldn’t be an issue for the Steelers. A player they acquire at the deadline needs to help the team now.
The Steelers, though, might not view either as a better option than Ramsey or Slay.
It will likely be difficult to find a cornerback upgrade available. But the Steelers should consider going shopping after what happened against the Bengals.
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