The Pittsburgh Steelers made a big time trade to bring in superstar wide receiver DK Metcalf. Steelers fans and NFL fans were eager to see Metcalf and George Pickens form a dynamic duo in the Steel City, a pairing that had the potential to be one of the most explosive in the league. However, the Steelers had other plans and shocked everyone by trading Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys shortly after landing Metcalf.
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Steelers' DK Metcalf smiles while speaking to the media.
With Pickens now in Dallas, the Steelers are once again left with concerns about the wide receiver room. While Metcalf gives them a true number one threat, the depth behind him is questionable, and many feel like the unit needs help all over again. The excitement around the Metcalf move has quickly turned into uncertainty as the team scrambles to find more reliable weapons. The Steelers brought in veteran wide receiver Robert Woods, but not many have a lot of confidence in the 33 year old.
On Thursday, Adam Schefter reported that the Steelers were in talks with the Miami Dolphins about tight end Jonnu Smith. Following that report, insider Jordan Schultz said that Pittsburgh is incredibly motivated to add another playmaker to support Metcalf. Whether through trade or another move, the Steelers appear fully focused on building a complete offense around their new star.
"The Steelers have had preliminary conversations with multiple teams about potentially adding another playmaker on offense to complement DK Metcalf, per multiple sources," Schultz posted to his social media. "Pittsburgh is believed to be motivated to get a deal done at some point, though there’s still plenty of time before the season. The Steelers could have up to 12 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft."
That level of motivation from Pittsburgh speaks volumes. This is not a team content with just making a splash move for headlines. The Steelers clearly understand that if they want to compete in the AFC, they need to build an offense that can keep up with the league’s elite. Metcalf is a massive piece, but without a supporting cast around him, opposing defenses will be able to zero in on him and limit his impact. The urgency to add more weapons shows that the front office knows Metcalf alone isn't enough.
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Steelers Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, then with the Tennessee Titans, walks off the practice field with tight end Jonnu Smith.
One name that continues to gain traction is Smith. While not a wide receiver, Smith brings versatility and athleticism to the tight end position, something the Steelers could use in Arthur Smith’s offense. The two worked together in Tennessee and Atlanta, where Jonnu had the a very productive stretch of his career. Reuniting with his former coordinator in Pittsburgh could provide an instant spark and give the Steelers a reliable option over the middle of the field, which would open things up for Metcalf on the outside.
Still, tight end help alone may not be enough. After moving Pickens, the Steelers have very little proven production behind Metcalf in the wide receiver room. Calvin Austin III remains an exciting deep threat, but he must build on his solid 2024 season. Roman Wilson could be a long-term answer, but relying on a second-year player with limited NFL experience to step into a major role carries risk. The rest of the depth chart is filled with question marks, and defenses won’t hesitate to test Pittsburgh’s unproven supporting cast.
Steelers' Omar Khan Not Done Adding To The Offense
What this all comes down to is timing. The Steelers made a bold move by shipping out Pickens, and now they are under pressure to follow through by filling that void. If they can successfully land another playmaker, whether it be Smith, another wide receiver, or both, the offense could be a legitimate threat this season. However, if they fall short, the decision to trade Pickens could come back to haunt them.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan holds up a phone to his ear as he stands in the team's War Room during the 2025 NFL Draft.
For now, all eyes are on General Manager Omar Khan. He’s been aggressive since taking over and has shown a willingness to make bold decisions to reshape the roster. The Steelers made waves by landing Metcalf. Now they need to make sure he’s not standing alone when the season kicks off. The next move could be the difference between a dangerous offense and another year of unmet potential.
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