The Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receivers' room still remains a mystery as mandatory minicamp quickly approaches. Everyone knows that George Pickens will be the top target on the depth chart, but a lot of questions surround which pass-catcher will be the second option. It might not even be a wideout, as Pat Freiermuth could receive a ton of looks.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A5855-544x306.jpg "Steelers - Pat Freiermuth")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (#88) holds onto a football as he runs a drill during 2024 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
There were several rumors surrounding the Steelers and many big-name wide receivers. Those include Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and Courtland Sutton. An interesting idea was also brought up regarding a potential move to acquire Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson. Now, after he signed a record-breaking deal, Andrew Fillipponi from 93.7 The Fan is reporting that General Manager Omar Khan inquired about the possibility.
Sources: The Steelers called the Vikings back in February to gauge the Vikings interest in trading Justin Jefferson. To take Minnesota's temperature on a deal. And were straight up told a trade wasn't happening. Good job by Omar to do his due diligence. pic.twitter.com/jDgeV8OSwe
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) June 3, 2024
It certainly would have taken a haul to land Jefferson in a deal, but it's clear now that the Vikings had no intention of dealing him. Fillpponi has a point, though, it's good that Khan decided to reach out just in case.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan picks up the phone in the team's war room during the 2023 NFL Draft weekend.
It's not even a given that the Steelers could have afforded the massive deal that Jefferson signed, but the cap space in the near future could have made it a possibility. Pairing Jefferson with Pickens would have been a nightmare scenario for any NFL defense, but it's now official that it will not come to fruition. It certainly was a very fun thing to imagine for the fans in the Steel City.
Pittsburgh will rely on Pickens to blossom into a start in 2024. He won't receive the kind of money that Jefferson did, but a solid campaign will put him in great position to ink a big deal of his own come the 2025 offseason.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A5374-544x306.jpg "Steelers George Pickens")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers wide receiver George Pickens walks off the field as the team practices during 2023 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Still Need More Help At Wide Receiver
Roman Wilson and Van Jefferson should get some looks in the offense, but it'd be much more ideal if Pittsburgh had a more dynamic number two guy opposite of Pickens. It could turn into Wilson, but that's trusting a rookie with a lot of responsibility. Don't be surprised if Khan is still on the phone and attempting to make a deal happen before the regular season kicks off.
What are your thoughts? Do you think Khan called Minnesota about Jefferson? Let us know in the comments below!
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