As part of their lengthy quest to acquire a wide receiver, the Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly inquired about the availability of Seattle Seahawks superstar wideout DK Metcalf prior to Tuesday's NFL trade deadline.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Steelers "cracked every window" in their search for a receiver, including checking in on Metcalf, but the Seahawks considered the idea of trading him to be a "nonstarter."

Ultimately, Pittsburgh agreed to send the New York Jets a 2025 fifth-round draft pick in exchange for veteran wide receiver Mike Williams.

Metcalf, 26, is signed through next season and is trending toward another strong campaign with 35 receptions for 568 yards and three touchdowns through seven games.

He entered 2024 having posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, and the two-time Pro Bowler has never finished a season with fewer than 900 receiving yards in his six-year career.

Metcalf undoubtedly would have been a huge deadline addition, but given that the Seahawks are 4-5 and just one game behind the Arizona Cardinals for the NFC West lead, it isn't particularly surprising that they didn't want to sell.

The Steelers have been rumored to be in on a potential wide receiver move ever since the offseason when they traded Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers.

Pittsburgh was reportedly in the running to trade for Brandon Aiyuk before he was re-signed by the San Francisco 49ers. They also reportedly checked in on Davante Adams before the Las Vegas Raiders traded him to the Jets during the season.

The Steelers have been one of the NFL's most pleasant surprises this season, as they lead the NFC North with a 6-2 record.

Since quarterback Russell Wilson returned from injury and took over the starting job, Pittsburgh is 2-0 and the offense is humming, averaging 31.5 points per game over the two-game stretch.

The Steelers have a productive No. 1 receiver in George Pickens, who has 35 catches for 548 yards and one touchdown on the year, but no other wide receiver on their roster has more than 14 receptions.

Williams, 30, spent his first seven seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers before getting released during the offseason.

He has two 1,000-yard seasons to his credit, but injuries have long been an issue, and they limited him to just three games last season.

The Jets signed him to be a potential No. 2 receiver across from Garrett Wilson, but he instantly fell behind Allen Lazard on the depth chart, and he became expendable when the Jets acquired Adams.

Williams has just 12 grabs for 166 yards and no touchdowns this season, but based on his overall body of work, he figures to be the best No. 2 receiver option the Steelers have to complement Pickens.