The Pittsburgh Steelers have a good number of issues to sort through during the 2025 offseason. It's evident that an above-average quarterback is needed in today's NFL to put together a championship-caliber team, but that situation is not currently present in the Steel City. Fans can expect one of either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields to be re-signed, but that will only be half the battle. Neither is a surefire solution and then there is the challenge of putting together a formidable offensive unit, one that lacked significant play-makers in 2024. General Manager Omar Khan has his hands full.
Rumors have continued to swirl around wide receiver George Pickens, but the main problem with trading him is that it would leave the Steelers with Pat Freiermuth as the top weapon on offense. With all due respect to the tight end, Pittsburgh is going to need to find several more pieces to add to the group, whether that includes Pickens or not.
In 2024, Khan and the Steelers were linked to several pass-catchers, most notably Brandon Aiyuk. The young wideout eventually signed a long-term extension with the San Francisco 49ers, but if Pittsburgh is to pursue a trade in the 2025 offseason, the rumor mill will involve several names and plenty of them will be connected to the Steel City. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, another San Francisco play-maker is expected to be on the trade block.
"Sources say the 49ers are expected to explore trading [Deebo] Samuel this offseason," Rapoport wrote. "While it's not a certainty that Samuel is done in San Francisco, it's enough of a possibility that both sides appear to be at peace with moving on if it goes that way."
Whether or not the Steelers are expected to have interest in Deebo Samuel remains to be seen. It would be a hefty risk to acquire the veteran due to his injury history. He clearly lost a step in 2024, but Rapoport noted that the wide receiver posted on social media back in December that he wasn't struggling; he simply wasn't getting the ball. The post has since been deleted, but it's clear that Samuel believes that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank.
Fans may be opposed to the idea of acquiring Samuel, but if he can come to the Steelers in a trade that favors Pittsburgh, it could make sense for the front office to bring in someone that has been a part of a winning culture. If Pickens does stay, Samuel could act as a presence in the locker room that helps the talented fourth-year player.
Another intriguing piece to the puzzle could be Pickens being involved in any trade. Not specifically for Samuel, but any wide receiver that is being shopped around the league. The Steelers have proven over time that individuals bringing drama to the locker room will not last long. The recent behavior from Pickens certainly does not warrant a contract extension, and could lead to the team trading him prior to the 2025 regular season.
Overall, Pittsburgh is going to need to be aggressive once the new league year begins. With or without Pickens, several moves are going to need to be made in an attempt to make the offense more formidable. If Samuel is available, Khan and 49ers General Manager John Lynch likely got very familiar with one another's thought process when Aiyuk was rumored to be on the trading block in 2024.
Steelers Have Big Decision To Make Regarding George Pickens
There is no doubting that Pittsburgh has one of the best deep-ball threats in the NFL in Pickens. The problem has been his attitude, both on and off the field. Committing long-term to someone who has shown his true colors is a poor organizational move, so it will be fascinating to see how the front office handles the situation. Pickens being the only true threat on offense only complicates matters, but the trade market and draft could alter the direction in which the wideout's career goes.
