The Pittsburgh Steelers have issues all over the roster. Their biggest on-field problem is the same one that has been talked about since the start of the 2024 league year: wide receiver. They traded Diontae Johnson away with the idea that they would go big game hunting, but they struck out. Their rookie receiver, Roman Wilson, then suffered a pair of injuries that limited him to just five snaps throughout the entire season. All in all, they need better plans for how to approach the 2025 offseason.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan (left) and Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) sit in the franchise's draft room as they anxiously watch the board in 2023.
The Steelers could still try to go out and try to acquire the best receivers available, like Tee Higgins in free agency or Tyreek Hill via the trade market, but they still need to come up with plans B and C in case they miss out again. They can't go into the 2025 regular season with Van Jefferson - or Mike Williams-tier guys.
While making an appearance on 93.7 The Fan, Chris Carter was asked about the most realistic option for the Steelers at the receiver position. One name came to him rather quick.
"I could see the Steelers trying to kick the tires on Chris Godwin, not for a crazy long deal, but to say 'hey, this guy has been a really good receiver. Bring him in,'" explained Carter.
Despite being a number two option, Chris Godwin has posted four 1,000-yard seasons in his NFL career. He was on pace for another one in 2024 before a season-ending injury took him out in Week 7. The Steelers will be very happy if they can snag a receiver like him, especially for cheap. He will be 29 in 2025, so it makes sense to not give him a five-year blockbuster contract if they can help it.
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Chris Godwin running off the field after a game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With guys like Higgins taking the spotlight, Godwin could fly under the radar. After all, he is in a similar situation as Higgins: WR2 looking to be the top option on another team and get top dollar for that. If the Steelers can get Godwin on a three-year deal on a backloaded $60 million contract, they could do it, especially if signing bonus is relatively low.
Steelers Could Look To The Trade Market For A New Receiver
Carter also brought up the potential of the Steelers trading for a wide receiver. If that's the case, there is on particular player in mind that the Steelers could get.
"This team goes after, say, a Courtland Sutton, or a certain type of guy. I think that the Steelers know that they need a #1 wide receiver and a #2 wide receiver, and George Pickens can be either one or the other or neither and help get to the end price of getting both of those guys."
Courtland Sutton is on the final year of his two-year deal with the Denver Broncos, so it won't be shocking to hear teams like the Steelers calling them up about his potential availability. If they do trade for him, the Steelers would likely eat $13.5 million to $14 million in salary, barring a deal to have Denver take on some of that.
AP Photo / Matt Durisko
Broncos' Courtland Sutton waiting for a replay to be reviewed.
The Steelers were seen as a team that could potentially sign Sutton during the 2024 offseason. Even after he re-signed with the Broncos, he was seen as a trade target at the deadline. Now that he is on a contract year, the Broncos' price for him could drop. There could be an avenue there.
The Steelers were quick to get rid of Johnson in the 2024 offseason and took a struggling cornerback at the time. Depending on how tired they are of George Pickens, they could either ship him off to the Broncos as part of the deal or use the draft capital they receive and flip it to Denver in this hypothetical deal.
What do you think about the Steelers' realistic free agent options? Let us know in the comments.
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