Well, it happened again.

What I’m referring to is the Pittsburgh Steelers missing out on yet another high profile wide receiver on the trade market. First, it was Brandon Aiyuk, who chose to stay with the 49ers, and now it’s Davante Adams, who is being traded to the New York Jets. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the trade compensation is for a conditional 3rd round pick, which could move to a 2nd round pick.

Compensation update: The trade for Davante Adams is expected to get finalized today, per sources.

It will be for a conditional 3rd-round pick that can go to a second-round pick, per source. pic.twitter.com/qZfL2DoQ6j

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 15, 2024

Why did the Steelers miss out on Adams? There could be multiple reasons. The Steelers could have offered a 3rd round pick, and wanted the Raiders to pick up some of his 2024 salary. They could have not been willing to budge off a 3rd round pick, and the Jets giving the option for it to become a 2nd round pick might have been enticing enough to send him to New York. Lastly, it could have been a situation where Adams wanted to play with his former Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, and that is what landed him in New York.

Either way, Adams will be in Pittsburgh this weekend, but it won’t be as a member of the black-and-gold. Instead, he’ll be wearing the visiting green-and-white of the Jets.

When you look at these situations, you have to wonder what the Steelers organizational approach to these negotiations have been. Sure, you don’t want to give up a lot of draft capital for a one-year rental player, but at the same time the team has to answer one glaring question:

Are you a talented wide receiver away from being a contender?

If the answer to that question is ‘No’, then they’ve played their hand well. Not willing to give up too much for a player who might not tip the scales in their favor. However, if the answer to the above question is ‘Yes’, then this is a huge swing-and-miss by Omar Khan for the second time this season.

If the Steelers view themselves as contenders who are just needing one more piece of the proverbial puzzle, offering a 2nd round pick for Adams isn’t too much of an ask. Sadly, it’s unlikely we’ll get to know the details of the negotiations, and the situation in general; however, the Steelers will continue to look at potential receivers who might become available before the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday November 5th.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the New York Jets, and Davante Adams, to invade Pittsburgh on Sunday Night Football in Week 7.