The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of attention focused on their quarterback situation. The position group is pretty bleak, and it is probably the weakest spot on the roster heading into the 2025 season. However, there are other areas on the offense that must be addressed too. This includes wide receiver, which is suddenly a concern now that the organization decided to part ways with George Pickens by trading him to the Dallas Cowboys. The room was once looking dominant with DK Metcalf and Pickens, but now it is more of what it was in 2024.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf during 2025 voluntary offseason workout program in April.
Metcalf was a great addition during the 2025 offseason, but the departure of Pickens creates some worry. Behind Metcalf is Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, and Roman Wilson. Austin is not necessarily a reliable second option, Wilson was hurt just about his entire rookie year in 2024, and Woods is 33 years old. A large portion of the fan base wants the organization to consider adding to the wide receiver position ahead of the season, and insider Christopher Carter was asked for some options during a recent mailbag for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
"If the Steelers make a move for a wide receiver, which they've been exploring, it would help to not appear like a team that needs a receiver at all costs," Carter wrote. "Could see a Christian Watson, Treylon Burks or another player on a rookie deal that expires after this season and hasn't been great."
The Steelers are essentially looking for a player that hasn't quite panned out according to Carter, but could turn into something good for the organization. Basically a low-risk, high-reward option on the trade market. Free agency is also still an option, with players like Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, and Gabe Davis all still remaining unsigned.
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Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks makes a catch during the 2023 season.
Carter mentioned both Christian Watson and Treylon Burks. Watson has had some good games for the Green Bay Packers, but injuries have held him back so far in his NFL career. The Packers also have a jam packed wide receiver room. The organization spent two of its first three picks in the 2025 NFL Draft on the position, so it is not unreasonable to think that Green Bay might want to move Watson before the final year of his rookie deal. It would be a bit of a risk for Pittsburgh considering the player's injury history, which includes a lot of issues with soft tissue injuries.
Burks just has not panned out at all in his NFL career. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans with unreasonable pressure as he was put in position to replace AJ Brown, and he has not been able to fill those big shoes. He might just need a change of scenery, and he would certainly be extremely cheap on the trade market. The organization has some rookie wide receivers coming into the fold in 2025, which makes Burks seem expendable ahead of the final year of his deal.
Steelers Have Other Options On The Trade Market
According to Carter, it seems like the Steelers have a clear goal to hit when trading for a receiver. A low-risk, high-reward option that might be entering the final year of their deal. This would make the player cheaper in a trade, and there is no financial commitment in the long run. Other options that fit that mold are John Metchie III, Alec Pierce, and Romeo Doubs. Doubs has been talked about as a potential trade target, so it just depends which receiver the Packers would want to part ways with when it comes to Doubs or Watson.
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Packers' Romeo Doubs during a game in the 2022 season.
The most farfetched option listed is probably Pierce, who is a big playmaker for the Indianapolis Colts offense. He has improved year after year, and Pittsburgh would be lucky to find a way to land him.
What do you think about Pittsburgh making a trade for a wide receiver? Let us know in the comments below!
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