Steelers and Mike Tomlin lose in pursuit of weapon for Aaron Rodgers as Jaguars get help for Trevor Lawrence

The 2025 NFL trade deadline was seen as a key opportunity for the Pittsburgh Steelers to add a much-needed weapon for Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin, but it appears that one of their targets is ultimately joining forces with Trevor Lawrence on the Jacksonville Jaguars.

According to NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Steelers made calls for wide receiver Jakobi Meyers before the Jaguars acquired him from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a fourth and a sixth-round draft pick.

“The Bills and Steelers were among the teams that inquired about Jakobi Meyers. Ultimately, Jacksonville — who placed Travis Hunter on IR last week – seals a deal for the ex-Raider,” Russini wrote on X.

Meyers, 28, emerged as one of the biggest wide receivers on the market after requesting a trade out of Las Vegas in October. His decision came as a consequence of not getting an extension by the Raiders.

Jakobi Meyers smiles at a press conference.

Meyers would’ve been useful, but Steelers already got help for Rodgers

Meyers’ current deal, which has a base salary of $10.5 million, expires at the end of the 2025 NFL season. While this would’ve been a situation to watch for the Steelers, his arrival could’ve still been worthy for an immediate impact.

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In 98 career games between his four years on the New England Patriots and two-and-a-half seasons with the Raiders, Meyers has caught 426 passes for 4944 yards with 20 touchdowns. He’s coming off a 1,027-yard season in 2024, with 33 receptions for 352 yards in seven games this year.

With the Steelers needing a dependable WR2 for Rodgers behind DK Metcalf, Meyers would’ve been a great addition. However, it appears that general manager Omar Khan already saw this one coming.

On Tuesday, the Steelers confirmed the arrival of Super Bowl champion Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who’s initially joining the practice squad but might be elevated by Tomlin soon as the wideout has experience playing with Rodgers.

Meyers boosts Lawrence’s options in Jacksonville

In the meantime, the Jaguars are the ones benefitting from Meyers’ trade request. With him, Jacksonville adds a key weapon for Lawrence after placing rookie Travis Hunter on injured reserve.

Hunter is expected to be back later in the season, but four weeks without him already leave a huge hole in the Jaguars WR depth chart, which also includes Brian Thomas, Jr., Dyami Brown, Parker Washington, and Tim Patrick.

Meyers is joining the team he last played in a Raiders uniform, as he made four catches for 23 yards in 57 snaps played against Jacksonville on Sunday. Meyers will be a Jaguar now, but with his deal expiring in March, perhaps the Steelers have a second chance to get him next year.