Steelers' solution to growing crisis might be easier than anyone expected
The Pittsburgh Steelers are slowly trudging toward another seemingly inevitable 9-8 finish. After a thrilling start to the season in which they jumped out to a lead in the AFC North, they've come back down to Earth, losing two of their last three games.
This team is nearing the point of needing to enter a full-scale rebuild. They have an aging roster with plenty of holes moving forward, but one of the most obvious needs is in the receiver room. Outside of D.K. Metcalf, the Steelers are lacking consistent pass-catching options for Aaron Rodgers.
After opting out of making a move for a receiver at the trade deadline, Pittsburgh will need to address the position next offseason. Thankfully, there are more than a few quality options throughout the 2026 NFL Draft class.
2026 NFL Draft holds Steelers' answer to receiver need
Steelers' fits on day one
The receiver position may end up being the strength of this draft class. There are plenty of options in the first round, but USC's Makai Lemon stands out as an obvious fit. He's an excellent route runner with consistent hands and explosive ability after the catch. He does most of his work from the slot, making him an ideal fit alongside Metcalf. If the Steelers are looking to replicate the success of star receivers like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Emeka Egbuka, Lemon is their guy.
Other options in the middle of the first round include Ohio State's Carnell Tate and Washington's Denzel Boston, both of whom thrive on the outside.
Steelers' fits on day two
A bit further down the board, Indiana's Elijah Sarratt would be a decent fit. He's a reliable receiver with sneaky separation ability. Chris Bell, an explosive speedster from Louisville, is another prospect to monitor moving forward.
In round three, Oklahoma wideout Deion Burks would immediately slot into the Steelers' starting lineup. He's a bit undersized, but he can create big plays with the ball in his hands.
Steelers' fits on day three
In the later rounds, Auburn's Eric Singleton is another explosive wideout. The Tigers use him heavily on screen passes, letting him showcase his shiftiness and athleticism. Fans should also keep an eye on South Carolina receiver Nyck Harbor. He's an unfinished product, but his 6'5", 235-pound frame and blazing speed will make him difficult to pass up.
Other names to watch include Georgia's Noah Thomas and Florida State's Squirrell White.
CBS cameras captured the exact moment Aaron Rodgers knew he'd lost to the Bears
The Chicago Bears didn't exactly
Late in the game, the Bears were up by a score of 31-28 (also the final score), and Pittsburgh had the ball on its own 28-yard line. It was third-and-four with just over two minutes remaining. Before Rudolph took the snap, however, Rodgers was on the sidelines losing his everloving mind.
"Oh my god! Wrong formation!" CBS cameras caught Rodgers obviously shouting from the sideline, placing his hands over his head.
The ball was snapped, and Rudolph took off for a Swift 22-yard gain, which was good enough for a first down. The only problem?
A flag was thrown immediately after the snap, and Rodgers knew it before the refs made it official.
Watching Aaron Rodgers in dismay for maybe the last time was comedy gold for Bears fans
It was at that moment that the Steelers would be backed up for a third-and-long and ultimately punt it back to the Bears with 1:53 on the clock. Whether or not the Bears punted the ball back to the Steelers, after that moment, it didn't matter.
Rodgers' face said it all. The Bears were going to come away with the win, in large part due to a silly penalty by the Steelers. What would have happened had the 22-yard scramble stood? In all likelihood, we'd have been set up for some more late-game heroics from Caleb Williams and company.
The Steelers very well could've gone on to kick a game-tying field goal, assuming the Bears' defense did their job and stopped them short of scoring a touchdown (while using all of their timeouts in the process).
It doesn't happen often; Rodgers losing to the Bears, especially at Soldier Field.
But this time, it was sweet. Even though Rodgers wasn't suited up, the Bears beat his team and watched him writhe in emotional pain on the sidelines.
Read more: Jaquan Brisker gave the stern warning Bears fans have been whispering all season
Is this Rodgers's last hurrah? Maybe, maybe not. Some believe he'll, in fact, come back for another season in Pittsburgh, especially if they come up just short this season. For now, though, Chicago got the last laugh -- literally.
