Steelers Show Interest in Trading for Former 1st-Round WR

The Pittsburgh Steelers have publicly expressed support for their current wide receiver room since trading the team’s 2024 leading receiver George Pickens. But that doesn’t mean the team isn’t interested in acquiring another wideout. One potential target is New Orleans Saints former first-rounder Chris Olave.

93.7 The Fan’s Adam Crowley reported Friday the Steelers are interested in Olave. Steelers Now’s Alan Saunders confirmed the report, adding the team reached out to the Saints to engage in trade discussions.

“The Pittsburgh Steelers have discussed the possibility of trading for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave, a team sourced confirmed to Steelers Now, but that process remains at an extremely preliminary level,” wrote Saunders.

“The Steelers have an obvious need at the wide receiver position after trading George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys earlier this offseason. Behind D.K. Metcalf, the team has little in terms of experienced outside wide receiver options, with veteran Robert Woods currently next on the depth chart.”

The Steelers sent Pickens, along with a 2027 draft pick, to the Dallas Cowboys during the first week of May. In exchange, Pittsburgh received a 2026 third-rounder and another 2027 draft selection.

In summary, the Steelers didn’t get anything for Pickens to help the team’s receivers or roster this fall.

New Orleans selected Olave at No. 11 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. He began his career with a pair of 1,000-yard seasons.

During 2024, Olave registered 32 catches, 400 receiving yards and a touchdown in eight games. The 24-year-old missed the second half of the season because of a concussion.

On April 23, the Saints exercised the fifth-year option in Olave’s rookie contract.

Steelers Contact Saints About WR Chris Olave: Report

It is not hard to see why the Steelers are interested in Olave. Although Olave has experienced concussion issues in his three NFL seasons, he has emerged as one of the best young wideouts in the league.

As a rookie, Olave posted 72 catches for 1,042 receiving yards. He averaged 14.5 yards per catch with four touchdowns.

Then in 2023, Olave had 87 receptions, 1,123 receiving yards and five scores.

Through 39 NFL games, Olave is averaging 65.8 yards and 4.9 catches per game. He has amassed 191 receptions, 2,565 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.

Olave would be a great receiver to pair with D.K. Metcalf. The Steelers acquired Metcalf in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks for a second-round pick on March 10.

Metcalf was expected to start opposite Pickens, but with Pickens entering a contract season, the Steelers elected to move on from him instead.

Steelers 26-year-old Calvin Austin III broke out with his best statistical season in 2024. The team also hopes third-round pick Roman Wilson rebounds from an injury-plagued rookie season last year.

But Austin and Wilson could both see more opportunities in the slot during 2025.

On the outside, veteran Robert Woods may start opposite Metcalf. Woods recorded 20 catches for 203 yards with the Houston Texans in 2024.

What It Could Cost to Acquire Olave From Saints

New Orleans is expected to be a NFL doormat during the 2025 campaign. Ironically, so are the Steelers, but Pittsburgh could greatly improve its offense with another starting receiver.

Still, preseason expectations aren’t likely to lower the asking price for Olave.

The Saints likely still view the 24-year-old as a roster building block. Because of his fifth-year option, Olave is under contract for two more seasons too.

So, if New Orleans sees its rebuild going quickly, the team will want to at least have Olave on the roster for 2026.

In all likelihood, that means the Saints might not move on from Olave unless a team makes them a very strong offer.

Saunders guessed on social media that it would be”probably” take “a lot” for the Steelers to acquire Olave.

NFL teams, including Pittsburgh, might be reluctant to make a big offer for Olave given his concussion history. Olave has suffered four concussions in the NFL and five since beginning his college career.

“Olave would come at a risk,” Steelers Now’s Aaron Becker wrote. “He has had a myriad of concussions throughout his football career.

“Olave missed one game with a concussion in Week 6 last season, returned, and then suffered another concussion in Week 9 that cost him the rest of his season. It was the fourth concussion of his professional career and fifth since starting college.”

The Steelers are unlikely to land Olave, but the team’s interest in the Saints receiver is a clear indication they probably aren’t done addressing receiver this offseason.