Mark Madden's Hot Take: Steelers' shorthanded receivers group won't be enough vs. Eagles

Hurt Hurts, then pick Pickett.

That’s my strategy for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game at Philadelphia on Sunday, not least because the absence of top wideout George Pickens will cripple the Steelers’ offense.

Wouldn’t it be incredible if Jalen Hurts did get injured, and ex-Steeler Kenny Pickett deputized at quarterback for Philadelphia?

I don’t root for either team. I root for the best story.

Steelers GM Omar Khan gets lionized because he has a catchy nickname: “The Khan Artist.”

But Khan mangled the Steelers’ receiving corps. That’s evident when Pickens is out.

He traded Diontae Johnson to Carolina without a Plan B at wideout.

True, Johnson ultimately got sent to Baltimore and since has imploded. But he always did OK with the Steelers, albeit petulant beyond his talent.

True, the Steelers got cornerback Donte Jackson from Carolina. Jackson leads the team with five interceptions. But he was likely to get cut by the Panthers, so the Steelers could have signed him as a free agent.

Khan got receiver Mike Williams from the New York Jets for a fifth-round draft pick.

Williams paid immediate dividends with the winning touchdown catch Nov. 10 at Washington. But he has four catches in five games since joining the Steelers and mostly isn’t open.

The Steelers whiffed on acquiring Brandon Aiyuk from San Francisco prior to the season.

Rumor had the Steelers trying to trade for a few other marquee receivers. They “just missed,” like the Pittsburgh Pirates always do.

Khan should have done better than merely getting Williams.

Cleveland acquired Jerry Jeudy from Denver in the offseason for fifth- and sixth-round picks. He has 59 catches for 944 yards and four touchdowns.

Jeudy is a legit starter. Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III aren’t. Why didn’t Khan get Jeudy?

Overall, Khan has done OK. Coach Mike Tomlin sticks his fingers in that pie, don’t forget.

But the Steelers receiving corps just isn’t good enough for the team to be considered a legit Super Bowl contender.

Russell Wilson is holding that offense together with spit and baling wire.

He’s got inadequate receivers. The running game’s mark of 3.9 yards per carry ranks third from bottom in the NFL. Wilson’s savvy has to suffice.

That works against some teams.

It doesn’t figure to work at Philadelphia.