The Pittsburgh Steelers have been linked to almost every wide receiver on the market this offseason. Rumors swirled around some big names, with reports suggesting Pittsburgh was very close to finalizing a trade with the San Francisco 49ers for Brandon Aiyuk. While a trade for Aiyuk seems increasingly unlikely as time passes, it’s still a possibility.
Recently, there’s been significant movement in the wide receiver market, with several depth options emerging that could bolster the Steelers' receiving corps. On Monday, a new name became available when reports surfaced that the Denver Broncos are prepared to move on from veteran wide receiver Tim Patrick.
According to Broncos insider Mike Klis, Patrick has drawn considerable interest. It’s been revealed that Omar Khan and the Steelers are among the teams showing strong interest in the 30-year-old receiver according to Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.
"The Steelers have been in communication regarding Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick and Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III as the roster cut-down date approaches," Saunders wrote.
Saunders also revealed that the Steelers are also in talks with the Houston Texans about a possible trade for John Metchie III. It appears the Steelers aren't finished searching for help at wide receiver.
Patrick was an exciting receiver for the Broncos before injuries sidelined him for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. In his last healthy season in 2021, he recorded 53 receptions for 734 yards and five touchdowns. The year before, in 2020, he had 51 receptions for 742 yards and six touchdowns. These numbers underscore how impactful Patrick could be if the Steelers were to acquire him.
However, there are concerns due to his injury history. Patrick missed the 2022 season with a torn ACL and the 2023 season with a torn Achilles. While these injuries raise red flags, he has had two years to recover. If he is fully healed, Patrick could provide a notable upgrade to the Steelers' wide receiver room.
The Steelers have several options at wide receiver, but the concern remains that, beyond George Pickens, none of their receivers strike fear into opposing defenses. While they’ve added help and speed to the roster, acquiring Patrick could be a small but strategic risk worth taking.
Patrick is set to earn just $1.295 million in base pay for 2024, which adds to his appeal. Additionally, he has $1.205 million in NLTBE incentives. These figures come after he recently renegotiated his salary with the Broncos.
Although Patrick missed both of Russell Wilson's seasons with the Broncos due to injury, his familiarity with Wilson could be a plus. While they didn’t have a chance to play together during the regular season, Wilson knows Patrick well, which could aid in integrating him into the Steelers' offense.
Steelers Would Get A Slight Upgrade Trading For Tim Patrick
The Steelers don’t necessarily need Patrick, as he resembles several receivers already on their roster behind Pickens. However, some analysts view him as a potential upgrade. Given his low cost and the fact that, when healthy, he posted respectable statistics, acquiring him represents a relatively low-risk move for Pittsburgh.
Patrick is a player to keep an eye on as the Steelers look to enhance their wide receiver room. His current level of interest is high, and it will be intriguing to see how it evolves. While bringing Patrick to Pittsburgh would be an improvement, it would be a modest one. Steelers fans will certainly be watching this situation closely.
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