The Pittsburgh Steelers still have a little bit more than a month until the new league year begins in mid-March. After the team's abysmal five-game losing streak to end the 2024 campaign, however, fans are already buying and selling certain rumors that are involving the organization. The most important decision to make revolves around the quarterback position, but surrounding that individual with play-makers needs to be made one of the franchise's top priorities. It was evident that the offense lacked the firepower that is needed to play consistently enough in a loaded AFC.
A big talking point will continue to be about the wide receiver position. General Manager Omar Khan was connected to virtually every trade possibility throughout the majority of the 2024 calendar year, but his "best" move was trading with the New York Jets for Mike Williams near the deadline. Much more has to be done before meaningful football games are played again.
One of the first veteran receivers reportedly on the trade market is San Francisco 49ers' elusive pass-catcher Deebo Samuel. The shifty wide receiver and his agent have been granted permission to seek a trade, which will lead to plenty of speculation. The Steelers have already been connected to him, but have been warned about looking into it by Tim Kawakawi of the San Francisco Standard.
The insider was on The TK Show on Thursday and did not just mention that Samuel wasn't as effective in 2024 as he normally is, but stated an unfortunate reality about the potential reason why.
"He had a bad year [in 2024]," Kawakami noted. "He is not in shape. I said it on last week's podcast - 20 pounds. I keep hearing it over - 20 pounds overweight. That led to a lot of his lack of explosion in [the 49ers'] belief, his lack of ability to get through tackles. That's kinda been who he is. That's why he's so valuable."
This is what will make any kind of acquisition tough for Khan. Any player traded for will take a physical, but there are several other factors that are unknown when pursuing a player via trade. If what Kawakami has heard regarding Samuel's weight is correct, it could explain why he did look a bit slower in 2024. If the Steelers decide against trading George Pickens, the offense needs a reliable and dynamic wideout to pair him with.
Samuel will be entering his seventh NFL season in 2025, but it feels like he has been around for longer because of how many highlight-reel plays he has been able to be a part of. He has only had one season with over 1,000 receiving yards, but has proven to be a threat in the screen and rushing attacks. With the right quarterback and offensive scheme, he should be able to help Pittsburgh, but Kawakami's comments are concerning.
The Steelers need to find a way to be a lot more effective on offense, and trading for a 29-year-old who has reportedly slowed down is not exactly the best way to accomplish that. Players lose weight all the time in the offseason, however, and it's possible that Samuel is working on this to make sure he is in better shape come the regular season.
Overall, Samuel is just one name that has been connected to Pittsburgh, but he will continue to be until the wide receiver is dealt somewhere. He could be in the Steel City, but it is worth noting that individuals like Kawakami, who are around the 49ers often, have some worries about his ability to get back to his old self when he was breaking tackles and bursting up the field.
Steelers Have To Set Up Starting Quarterback For Success
It really is anyone's guess as to who will be starting under center for Pittsburgh come September. Regardless of who that individual is, there is no doubting that more weapons will be needed around him. Khan should be looking to every avenue to boost the unit, including free agency, the trade market, and the draft. The organization must begin to sincerely step up on that side of the ball.
