The Pittsburgh Steelers finally snagged their starting quarterback for the 2025 season, with Aaron Rodgers agreeing on a one-year deal with the team. Now that he is in the picture, it's time for the organization to focus on getting him another weapon. They did trade for DK Metcalf, but they still need at least one more reliable target on offense. It doesn't matter if Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, or a future rookie is throwing the ball; you need to give them the best chance to succeed by surrounding him with quality playmakers.
Chris Mack had a good idea while hosting Kaboly + Mack on Friday: why would the Steelers look for a complement and a WR2 when they could just add to the arsenal with another top option?
"I feel like the list of priorities at receiver should start with [Terry] McLaurin," Mack said. "I think you should explore that as long as you can."
Terry McLaurin is currently in the middle of negotiations with the Washington Commanders. Obviously, that leads to teams like the Steelers poking in and seeing where they are in contract talks. Pittsburgh already traded and paid for one premier wideout, and with all the cap space they have, why not go out and make another move like that? Sometimes, you have to make big moves to see big results.
Mack continues on about just going for that top option and not looking for a regular #2 wideout.
"Forget a great #2 complement to DK Metcalf," Mack said. "You legit have two number 1s now on each side of the ball. We're back to talking about what we were when [the Steelers] first acquired Metcalf, and we were salivating at the idea of Metcalf and Pickens pushing corners and safeties down the field and opening the middle for the tight ends."
The old saying is "go big or go home." The Steelers couldn't go big with George Pickens, as he supposedly forced himself out of Pittsburgh for greener pastures. That does not mean that the front office should just sit on their hands and accept its fate either. If they can find a way to pair McLaurin and Metcalf on the same team, quarterbacks in college and the pros will be begging their agents to find a way to get them to Pittsburgh.
McLaurin has hit the 1,000-yard mark in every single year except his rookie campaign, where he only played 14 games. He has started and played in every single game since the beginning of the 2021 season, and he just put up a career-high in touchdowns with 13. It will be very expensive to get the star receiver. The question is if Washington is ready to deal him or not.
Steelers May Have To Make Difficult Choice
For a receiver of McLaurin's caliber, it would likely cost a first-round pick to acquire him, unless he comes out and says that he won't play another down for the Commanders. Usually, that price is 100% worth it to get a star wideout in his prime that has no character concerns at all. For the Steelers, however, making this deal could ruin their plans for 2026.
The Steelers are loaded with draft capital for 2026, and the idea is that they can use all those picks to trade up and select a top-tier quarterback early in the first round. That idea completely goes out the window if they don't actually have a first-round pick in that draft. If McLaurin is available, the Steelers have to decide if trading for him is worth potentially missing out on the next future franchise quarterback in Pittsburgh.
What do you think of the idea of the Steelers trading for McLaurin to pair with Metcalf? Is this plausible, or is it a pipe dream? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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