The Pittsburgh Steelers shocked the NFL world with their blockbuster trade for Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey on June 30, and they may not be done as an NFL insider just linked them to a potential wide receiver signing once again.
“Free agent WR Gabe Davis still an option for Steelers on offense, too,” ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported on June 30.
https://x.com/JFowlerESPN/status/1939703698613059823
Fowler added that “[Davis] really enjoyed his visit there. Though he could take his time to sign, possibly closer to training camp.”
Gabe Davis Signing Would Make Sense, as Steelers Still Need WR Help After Jalen Ramsey Trade
The Ramsey trade was… interesting, to say the least. Steelers insider Mark Kaboly checked with team sources and relayed more information on how Pittsburgh sees the two new additions, Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith, including how they might utilize each one.
But in the meantime, the Steelers’ most glaring roster need is still, you guessed it, wide receiver — although there are question marks at safety now too after the Minkah Fitzpatrick departure.
Davis is the obvious link, being that he visited Pittsburgh earlier this spring, as Fowler reminded.
The 26-year-old big-play threat is known for his veteran leadership and clutch catches in the postseason.
With the Buffalo Bills, Davis racked up 474 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns over 7 playoff appearances. His best regular season receiving total was 836 yards and 7 TDs in 2022, although his 2023 output was not far behind.
Davis is coming off a lost campaign with the Jacksonville Jaguars, marred by a lack of chemistry/fit, and then major injury once the chemistry issues started to improve.
If you chalk that up as an outlier of a season — and it has been, statistically speaking — Davis could be exactly what the Steelers’ offense needs in a WR signing. A competent and clutch pass-catcher who plays on the outside and comes from a winning culture.
With Davis, Pittsburgh could shift Calvin Austin III back into his more typical slot role, alongside second-year draft pick Roman Wilson. With DK Metcalf at the top, that would give the Steelers a much more well-rounded and professional WR corps in 2025.
Steelers in the Midst of ‘Unprecedented’ Offseason
Following the Steelers’ Jalen Ramsey trade, which also sent Fitzpatrick packing and worked in tandem to acquire Smith, 33rd Team NFL insider Ari Meirov broke down the Pittsburgh offseason so far, which he labeled “unprecedented” for this typically measured franchise.
“The Steelers are having one of the most un-Steelers offseasons ever,” Meirov began, listing the following decisions:
- Waited for and signed 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
- Traded for DK Metcalf and gave him $33 million per year.
- Acquired Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith.
- Traded away Minkah Fitzpatrick.
“Unconventional doesn’t even begin to cover it,” Meirov finally concluded. “Feels unprecedented for them.”
Simply put, Meirov is right, and he hits the nail on the head here. Head coach Mike Tomlin promised that major changes were coming at his end-of-year press conference, and for months, it looked like he was lying.
The coaching staff remained the same, as did most of the defensive roster, and even the offense was similar up until the Metcalf trade. From that point on, Tomlin’s promise has come to fruition with the additions of Rodgers, Ramsey and Smith, not to mention key departures like Fitzpatrick and George Pickens — two players thought to be at the heart of locker room drama in 2024.
Having said all of that, the all-important question still remains: Will all these changes make a difference for Tomlin and the Steelers this time around?
