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The Pittsburgh Steelers currently hold the top position in the AFC North standings but are not merely resting on their laurels.
As the trade deadline approached, they strategically acquired wide receiver Mike Williams and outside linebacker Preston Smith, enhancing their squad’s depth in critical areas as they prepare for the crucial stretch of the season.
The Steelers traded a fifth-round pick to the New York Jets for Williams and sent a seventh-round selection to the Green Bay Packers to secure Smith.

With a record of 6-2, the Steelers are poised to begin the challenging second half of their season following a bye week, as they prepare to face the unexpectedly formidable Washington Commanders, who currently lead the NFC East with a 7-2 record.
Adding Williams provides Pittsburgh with a much-needed outside receiving threat to pair with George Pickens.
While the team boasts star linebackers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, who form one of the league’s best duos, the depth at outside linebacker had been a concern, especially with backup Nick Herbig dealing with a hamstring issue, although coach Mike Tomlin indicated a potential return for Herbig against Washington.

Since trading Diontae Johnson to Carolina last spring, the Steelers have sought a larger target to complement Pickens.
Attempts to acquire notable wide receivers such as Brandon Aiyuk, Davante Adams (who went to the Jets), and DeAndre Hopkins (who signed with the Chiefs) did not pan out.
Williams, who formerly signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Jets, has had limited success this season, recording only 12 receptions for 166 yards over nine games, including just a six-yard catch in the last two contests.

Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, Williams joins a team that has shown improvement in its passing game since quarterback Russell Wilson returned from injury after missing the first six games of the season.
Though Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III have made contributions, Williams’s height and presence add another viable target in the red zone alongside Pickens and the 6-foot-5 tight end Pat Freiermuth.
Tomlin recently commended his receiving corps, expressing confidence in their work ethic and capabilities, stating their eagerness to showcase their talent on the field.

Despite these additions, the Steelers remain on a mission to break a playoff win drought that dates back to the 2016 AFC Championship Game.
The team has demonstrated an aggressive approach towards revitalizing their offense over the past year, parting ways with quarterbacks Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph, while bringing in Wilson and Justin Fields.
Their offensive output has improved, ranking 13th in scoring, compared to 28th last season, yet ongoing struggles persist as they gear up for intense matchups.

Pittsburgh will face all three of its AFC North rivals twice in the remaining nine weeks and will also meet formidable opponents like Washington, Philadelphia, and Kansas City.
Tomlin acknowledged the team’s active pursuit of upgrades in the trade market as part of their ambition to become a championship-caliber squad.
Defensively, the Steelers rank among the best in the league, sitting second in points allowed and ninth in yards conceded.

However, the effectiveness of their pass rush has diminished somewhat this season, attributed to opponents opting for quicker pass plays.
Watt has accounted for 6.5 of the Steelers’ total of 19 sacks, which falls below expectations compared to his recent performances, while Highsmith missed three games due to a groin injury and Herbig has been sidelined since early October.
Smith, who is in his tenth NFL season, has seen reduced playing time after the Packers transitioned to a 4-3 defense, managing 2.5 sacks and six tackles in the current season while participating in only 36% of defensive snaps in a recent game against Detroit.
Throughout his career, Smith has been productive, amassing 68.5 sacks over 155 games while playing for the Commanders and Packers.

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