With the NFL trade deadline past us, the teams are final for the rest of the season. In a season rife with injuries, these trades were a useful tool to patch up holes in the roster. Not to mention, it gives underappreciated players a chance actually to get some time on the field. And it’s not a bad deal for the side trading the player away either. Sure, you give up one of your backups (usually a backup, the Raiders had a whole different mess with Davante Adams), but you get a player who suits your needs or a draft pick. Looks like the Steelers got a great deal in Mike Williams.

To the Steelers, Jets wide receiver Mike Williams was worth a 5th-round pick in 2025. Williams has only started in 3 games with the Jets this season, though he’s played in all 9. Plus, with the Jets seemingly finding a winning wide receiver combo in Davante Adams-Garrett Wilson, it seems they didn’t need him around anymore. Pending any injuries that is. He’s an experienced wide receiver, with 8 years in the NFL under his belt. 2 of those seasons were 1000+ yarders too, and when given a chance, he’s ready to impress. Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is convinced he and Mike Williams will make for a killer pair, “Having a threat on the outside, another big body, he can go downfield. For a defensive coordinator, it’s gonna be hard for sure.”

That’s a lot of faith for the 23-year-old to have in the veteran wide receiver (Williams is 30). There were rumors floating around that the Steelers were trying to trade for Davante Adams from the Raiders, back when that was unfolding, but the asking price was too high. Adams has certainly had a more successful career so far, even if he is a couple of years older. But Williams is also a talented wide receiver, and his proficiency with deep-field catches is an asset.

The only issue is that Williams is quite injury-prone as of late. Last year he had to abandon his season after an ACL tear in his left knee. The year before that it was a series of ankle injuries. Even if we ignore stuff as far back as 2020 (shoulder, hamstring, AND back injury that year), it takes a toll. Draft Sharks has him projected at a 79.7% chance risk of injury this season, though it’s obviously not prescient. He might just have to opt for less risky plays, but then would he be living up to Pickens’ promise? Can he give Russell Wilson the openings he’ll need?

With Williams, how are the Steelers looking for the playoffs?

If they weren’t in a division with the Baltimore Ravens, the Pittsburgh Steelers would be looking squeaky clean right now. As it stands, they’re 6-2 to the Ravens’ 7-3. They’re not really behind, of course, the Steelers just had a bye-week. After that nailbiting 35-34 win over the Bengals (a failed 2pt conversion in the last minute was the deciding factor), the Ravens face the Steelers next. The Steelers, meanwhile will be facing the dreaded Washington Commanders first though.

The Commanders have been a force to reckon with this season, so it’ll be interesting to see how that pans out. Starting out the season, when Russell Williams was injured, and young gun Justin Fields came in, for a brief while, the Steelers seemed invincible. The Colts under Joe Flacco brought a rude awakening. An interesting parallel with the Steelers there is a promising young talent swapped out for a veteran quarterback. Of course, with the Colts, it was because 22-year-old Richardson had significantly underperformed. Fields hasn’t played for the Steelers in nearly a month, but coach Mike Tomlin hasn’t once regretted his decision to start with Wilson.

The experience he brings to the table is undeniable. He’s a positive force in the locker room too, plus the guy just wants to play. That’s the only reason he came to the Steelers on a bare minimum contract. He’s actually spoken about Mike Williams too, he’s clearly keeping an eye on his boys. Speaking about Williams, he said “He’s not out there playing mad, he makes the plays. He’s just a guy that’s been really special over the years.” With mature guidance from Tomlin and Wilson and a new killer wide receiver pair, maybe the Commanders aren’t insurmountable. And once they’ve taken the Commanders, they’ll be on a roll, sights set on the Ravens next. A playoff finish feels very much within the realm of possibility.