The Pittsburgh Steelers have made many changes when it comes to the roster. From adding key defensive pieces, like Patrick Queen, Donte Jackson, and DeShon Elliott, to beefing up their offensive line through the NFL Draft. However, a question that many members of Steeler Nation continue to ask is if the Steelers are going to add more talent in the wide receiver room?
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan speaks to the media.
With the trade of Diontae Johnson back in March, the Steelers still have not properly filled the void that Johnson left. Omar Khan has brought in plenty of wide receivers this offseason, from Van Jefferson and Scotty Miller (who both played under Arthur Smith last season in Atlanta), to Quez Watkins the speedster who spent four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Steelers also used one of their third round picks to draft Michigan standout Roman Wilson, who saw his best season in 2023 with 48 receptions, 789 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns. With many journeymen receivers and young unproven talent, are the Steelers still shopping for a wide receiver that can help elevate their wide receiver room, or go into the season with the core they have?
Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette while appearing on 93.7 The Fan, believes that the team will go into the 2024 season with their current wideouts. From contracts to trade packages, the price of finding their number two might be too steep for what Pittsburgh is willing to pay.
"They're willing to go into the season with the guys that they have if the price is too steep for a legit number two receiver. And I don't see Omar coming off that price."
With the wide receiver market increasing this offseason with contract extensions for Amon-Ra St. Brown, Justin Jefferson, Jaylen Waddle, and soon to be Brandon Aiyuk once his situation gets solved, it might be a price that the Steelers do not want to pay. Khan however, has shown that patience is truly a virtue when it comes to making moves. A time where many believed that Justin Fields would not be traded for anything less than a second round pick, Khan was able to get him from the Chicago Bears for just a 2025 conditional sixth round pick.
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.
Is Aiyuk Still a Trade The Steelers Will Make?
The Steelers' wide receiver room is filled with players on cheaper deals either still on their rookie contract, or one-year deals; not the ideal group to walk into the 2024 season with. The answer could be Aiyuk, someone that the Black and Gold have shown interest in for months. With Aiyuk requesting a trade this week, could the asking price drop from a first round pick? Khan has his mind made up on what he is willing to give up when it comes to a receiver like Aiyuk, and good luck trying to convince him otherwise.
"So they'll have a price in mind and what they want to pay Brandon Aiyuk, and they'll have a price in mind also and what they want to give up in terms of a player or draft pick compensation."
With training camp less than a week away, many eyes will be on the wide receivers. If guys are not stepping up and cannot fill the void left by Johnson, then a trade could happen by the end of the summer. Does that mean that Khan will up his price to add a talent like Aiyuk to the roster, or could he look elsewhere to a team that might be on the cusp of a rebuild?
Associated Press
49ers' Brandon Aiyuk.
A lot of questions should be answered in Latrobe and Steeler Nation will continue to wait and see if the team brings in someone to step into the number two role. What do yinz think? Comment below.
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