Steelers Explored as Trade Landing Spot for Brian Thomas Jr.
CBS Sports proposed Pittsburgh acquire the Jaguars receiver for a 2027 third-round pick and tackle Dylan Cook ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Football
CBS Sports suggested the Pittsburgh Steelers acquire Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick and offensive tackle Dylan Cook. ProFootballTalk separately reported that the Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Commanders had interest in Thomas.
Why it matters
The proposal is a hypothetical analysis rather than a completed deal or reported negotiation, but it highlights Pittsburgh's need for a receiver ahead of the trade deadline. Jacksonville's loss of starting tackle Anton Harrison for the season adds context to why the Jaguars might consider moving a young pass catcher.
Thomas recorded 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie in 2024, but his production has declined to 10 catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns through seven games this season. He has played 44% of Jacksonville's offensive snaps through seven games.
The players
Brian Thomas Jr.
Thomas is a Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver and former Pro Bowl selection who earned the honor as a rookie after his 2024 season.
Dylan Cook
Cook is an offensive tackle who started the final four regular-season games for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025.
Zachary Pereles
Pereles is a CBS Sports writer who proposed the trade in a Nov. 3 analysis.
The details
CBS Sports' Zachary Pereles proposed the trade in a Nov. 3 analysis, pairing a 2027 third-round pick with Cook because Jacksonville would be surrendering an asset to a playoff-contending AFC rival and would need added incentive. Pittsburgh drafted Max Iheanachor in the first round in April and Cook started the team's final four regular-season games in 2025, and Pereles suggested Pittsburgh could add Cook to sweeten the offer.
Timeline
2024 season: Thomas recorded 87 catches for 1,282 yards as a rookie.
2025 season: Cook started Pittsburgh's final four regular-season games.
April 2026: Pittsburgh drafted Max Iheanachor in the first round.
Nov. 1, 2026: Thomas caught one pass for 12 yards in Jacksonville's 42-7 win over Indianapolis.
Nov. 10, 2026: NFL trade deadline.
Season Trajectory
Thomas's drop from 1,282 yards as a rookie to 117 yards through seven games in 2026 frames the proposed deal as a possible reset for both franchises. For Pittsburgh, adding a receiver would help a team that drafted Max Iheanachor in the first round in April and is weighing deadline options.
Trade speculation involving Thomas matters for fantasy managers who rely on his volume, since his snap share has held near 44% but his production has fallen sharply. Pittsburgh fans tracking the deadline should watch for whether the Steelers add a receiver before Nov. 10.
The takeaway
Thomas's sharp production decline makes him a test case for how NFL teams value young receivers after a dropoff. Whether this proposal becomes a real negotiation will depend on what Jacksonville is willing to accept before the deadline.
What happens next
The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 10, which will determine whether any proposed deal can be completed before the cutoff.
Further reading
Explore more Steelers football coverage for context on the team's roster moves ahead of the trade deadline.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
