The Pittsburgh Steelers have been surrounded by wide receiver rumors and reports all offseason, largely due to their surprising decision to trade away star wide receiver Diontae Johnson early in the offseason. This move thrust George Pickens into the role of wide receiver one (WR1), but beyond him, pundits worry there isn’t much reliable support.
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49ers' Brandon Aiyuk looks on during a game.
The Steelers have been frequently linked to the San Francisco 49ers, particularly because of their situation with star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk, dissatisfied with the new deal offered by the 49ers, reportedly requested a trade. The rumors have been a constant back-and-forth, with reports suggesting the Steelers were close to acquiring Aiyuk, only for talks to shift towards the 49ers retaining him. This saga has been a major storyline throughout the offseason filled with a lot of contradicting reports.
NFL insider Albert Breer recently revealed that even if the Steelers miss out on Aiyuk, they are still likely to pursue additional wide receiver help, based on what he has heard.
"While we’re there, I do think the Steelers will keep looking for options at wide receiver—if the Brandon Aiyuk situation doesn’t work out for them."
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan has adopted a significantly more aggressive approach than his predecessors in Pittsburgh. Historically, the Steelers have been conservative in their spending, especially when it comes to acquiring high-priced star wide receivers. However, Khan recognizes that this team is built to compete right now, and he’s determined not to let any opportunities slip by.
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Steelers' Omar Khan smiles while roaming the sidelines before a game.
If he sees a chance to bring in a player who could help the Steelers win more games and enhance their Super Bowl chances, he’s shown that he’s more than willing to make bold moves to make it happen.
The problem, however, has been finding common ground with the 49ers. While Khan has made an offer, it hasn’t met the 49ers' expectations; otherwise, the deal would likely already be finalized.
Khan has stood firm on his proposal, unwilling to part with too many assets. Reportedly, Khan is hesitant to include any players in the trade, preferring to send only draft picks. The 49ers, on the other hand, are allegedly seeking a wide receiver in return, which has been the sticking point preventing the trade from moving forward.
Breer further elaborated on the Steelers’ situation with the 49ers, expressing confidence that the team will have other options at wide receiver if a deal for Aiyuk doesn’t materialize.
"And a sign of where they are at the position is how they rebuffed the San Francisco 49ers’ request for a player as part of any potential trade—which is why the Niners looked around at potential second trades, moving one of the picks coming from Pittsburgh—if they’d decided to take the Steelers’ offer (which was in the neighborhood of second and third-round draft picks). I think there will be some options out there for them."
If Breer’s sources are accurate, the Steelers could shift their focus to other wide receivers if they miss out on Aiyuk. However, the remaining free agent market has been heavily picked over, leaving few options that could be considered true upgrades for Pittsburgh.
While a couple of names stand out, many of the available players would likely blend in with the current roster depth behind Pickens.
Steelers Still Have Some Options On The Free Agent Market
One option that comes to mind is Michael Thomas. Once considered one of the top wide receivers in the league, Thomas has struggled to stay healthy in recent years. The Steelers could take a low-risk gamble by signing him to a cheap deal, hoping he can recapture some of his past form and stay on the field. If he manages to remain healthy, he could provide a noticeable upgrade.
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Saints' Michael Thomas stands on the field after a professional football game in New Orleans, LA.
Another potential target is Hunter Renfrow. Although he hasn’t been signed yet, Renfrow is a reliable receiver who could offer a slight improvement in the room, though not a significant one. There’s also the possibility of bringing back JuJu Smith-Schuster, but Pittsburgh has made it clear they’re not interested in a reunion with the former Steeler.
Trading for a wide receiver might be a more viable solution, and perhaps this is what Breer was hinting at. With the offseason winding down, the risk of finding a quality upgrade behind Pickens increases, but Breer emphasizes that the Steelers aren’t done searching for help.
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