The Pittsburgh Steelers made headlines this offseason when they traded away their star wide receiver, Diontae Johnson. Reports indicated that they were working hard to find a replacement for him, aiming to bring in a playmaker to complement George Pickens. This effort has led the organization to be linked to almost every available receiving option this offseason.
Despite their efforts, the Steelers have not made significant improvements to the position. Reports are coming out that the Steelers are still working to make a move at wide receiver. They did add some help by acquiring wide receivers Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, and Scotty Miller. Additionally, they drafted Roman Wilson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. However, despite this depth, Steelers fans and pundits remain uneasy about the current state of the team's wide receiver corps.
Steelers insider Mark Kaboly collaborated with his staff in an article for The Athletic, analyzing all 32 NFL teams. In his section on Pittsburgh, he highlighted the widespread surprise among pundits regarding the franchise's apparent comfort with their current wide receiver situation.
“It’s easy to just go with Russell Wilson and how he has quickly captured the attention of the city, but that’s not a surprise. The surprise is that the Steelers seem perfectly satisfied watching how the WR2 position plays out in camp among a host of middle-of-the-road receivers. Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, Calvin Austin III, Scotty Miller, Denzel Mims, Marquez Callaway and Dez Fitzpatrick all have varying degrees of experience behind George Pickens.”
There has been a lot of hype about the Steelers' upgrades this offseason. However, the wide receiver room remains the only major concern. Kaboly believes a significant addition is on the horizon.
“Whether they address the position before the season could hinge on the play of rookie Roman Wilson. But the entire group has been underwhelming enough that a big swing appears imminent.”
The Steelers' wide receiver room boasts a lot of speed and options, but none of the recent additions have played major roles in an offense lately. As a rookie, Wilson is likely to have a significant role, while Jefferson and Watkins will need to step up if the Steelers don't acquire a true number two wide receiver.
As the season approaches, the options have dwindled. Despite the concerns, the Steelers are not in trouble. The organization has not publicly expressed any worry, even though reports have indicated they tried to trade for a top wide receiver to pair with Pickens. They likely didn't see it as a major need; otherwise, they would have made a move.
The Steelers seem confident in waiting to see if they can make any changes before the season starts. If not, they appear comfortable with their current roster. They have plenty of weapons, and it looks like the new Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith, will get creative in 2024. The Steelers will need to rely on a committee approach to get things done alongside Pickens.
Steelers' George Pickens Set To Carry The Wide Receiver Room
Pickens is entering his first season as the sole number one option for the Steelers. In his first two seasons in the NFL, he has made a significant impact. Now, in his third season, pundits around the league are buzzing with anticipation.
Pickens seems poised for a massive year, thanks to a new system, improved quarterback play, and more opportunities. He will face coverages he has never seen before, and Steelers fans are eager to see how he handles these challenges in 2024 and what kind of season he can deliver.
