Saints Deliberately Leak To Steelers Perfect Asking Price For WR Rashid Shaheed
The Pittsburgh Steelers remain intertwined in pretty much every wide receiver trade rumor that is currently present in the NFL. The deadline is approaching (November 4th), and General Manager Omar Khan has to make a decision regarding the team's pass-catching unit. Another top-end talent would certainly help, but the price needs to be right. The organization is expected to have over 10 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, so there is capital to throw around if the front office does see it as a necessity to acquire another playmaker for the offense.
The most common name linked to the Steelers has been Las Vegas Raiders wideout Jakobi Meyers. The veteran is unhappy with his current contract situation and has wanted to be traded since training camp. It would be silly for the franchise not to deal him given the nature of its season to this point, but crazier things have happened. Regardless, Meyers is a name to keep an eye on.
Another unique situation is the one that the New Orleans Saints are dealing with. The team is far from competing in the NFC, but has some very solid younger pieces. One of those is Chris Olave, who Pittsburgh has been connected to, but recent reports have suggested that the organization is more-so desiring giving the dynamic route-runner an extension.
Adam Schefter, one of the most respected NFL insiders around the league, reported on Sunday morning ahead of Week 8's slate that the extension is still in play for Olave. However, one of the fastest men in the league, Rashid Shaheed can be had if another team is interested in making the perfect offer.
"The New Orleans Saints have said they're not interested in trading away one of their wide receivers, but league sources believe Rashid Shaheed can be had for the right price," Schefter wrote.
That could mean one thing to Khan, and another to Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis. Overall, it seems as if New Orleans is intentionally leaking, via Schefter, what it wants in any deal. Front offices will often use insiders to get out critical information, because it's not politically correct to just come out in public during a press conference and directly mention an asking price for a trade candidate.
"Teams continue to call the Saints regarding the trade availability of Shaheed and fellow receiver Chris Olave, sources told ESPN," Schefter wrote. "The Saints are attempting to re-sign Olave to a contract extension, and sources believe New Orleans would like to receive a third-round draft pick in a trade involving Shaheed."
Shaheed definitely has value, but he is 27 years old and on the final year of his contract. It's unlikely that the Steelers would be willing to give up that capital, especially when Meyers could potentially be acquired for the exact same pick. The positive in the Steel City is that after trading away wide receiver George Pickens, Pittsburgh possesses two third-rounders in 2026.
It's no question that the Steelers could use some help at wide receiver. The unit has played just fine so far, but the group broke down at the end of 2024, particularly when Pickens missed several games due to a hamstring injury. Depth is important, but it really would make all the difference in the world if one more legitimate playmaker was thrown into the mix. If Olave isn't available, Shaheed could be the next best option.
Additionally, if the Saints are looking for a third-round selection for Shaheed, the organization would most likely be going after a trade partner's first-rounder in 2026 for Olave. That is not likely to be something that Khan will give up.
Steelers Will Continue To Remain In The News Cycle
Until the trade deadline passes, it can be expected that Khan and co. will remain in the headlines. There is a clear need for one final boost on offense; however, it appears as if the defense may need some assistance as well. It would be quite shocking to see the franchise remain still within the next 10 days or so, which is why fans are anticipating something substantial from the front office.
Kyle Dugger Absence vs. Browns Strains Patriots Secondary
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — With their Week 8 matchup against the Cleveland Browns set to kick off at Gillette Stadium, the New England
The Patriots (5-2) enter this matchup on the heels of a dominant 31-13 victory over the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Cleveland (1-5) also won its Week 7 contest against the Miami Dolphins by a score of 31-6 at Huntington Bank Field.
With just over an hour until the 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, the Patriots and Browns have released their lists of inactives:
PATRIOTS INACTIVES:
S Kyle Dugger
LB Caleb Murphy
WR Efton Chism, III
DE Eric Gregory
DE Keion White
G Caedan Wallace
QB Tommy DeVito (3rd QB)
What it Means for the Patriots:
Dugger entered the weekend as questionable for Week 8 with a knee injury. The Lenoir-Rhyne product did not participate the the Pats final practice of the week and was the lone Patriot to be listed on their ultimate injury and practice participation report.
This season, Dugger has appeared in all seven games [making four starts] while compiling 17 total tackles. Due to his preseason and early-season struggles, the former Pats’ team captain has been the subject of both trade and release rumors — the former of which are expected to continue up to the NFL’s
Throughout his five-plus seasons in Foxborough, Dugger has appeared in 81 regular season games, making 69 starts. He also started his only playoff appearance in 2021. The Decatur, Georgia native has compiled 441 total tackles, nine interceptions and two fumble recoveries, while scoring three defensive touchdowns. His extensive knowledge of the Patriots playbook made him the logical choice to serve as their starter with veteran Jaylinn Hawkins being sidelined for the past two games with a hamstring injury.
Despite having just been signed by the Patriots on Oct. 15, defensive back Richie Grant’s elevation from the practice squad may indicate that he is likely to inherit some of the reps normally allotted to Dugger. The veteran safety was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an unrestricted free agent this past offseason but was released prior to the start of the season. Throughout his four seasons in the NFL, the 6’0” 200-pound defensive back has played in 67 games with 33 starts and has accumulated 264 total tackles, three sacks, three interceptions, 17 passes-defensed and 11 special teams tackles.
The Patriots may also turn to second-year defensive back Dell Pettus, perhaps the more-likely choice to receive Dugger’s reps. Pettus has logged 10 total tackles, one forced fumble and one run-stuff in reserve duty this season.
BROWNS INACTIVES:
QB Shedeur Sanders
CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse
S Damontae Kazee
RB Raheim Sanders
G Zack Zinter
T Cornelius Lucas
DT Adin Huntington
