In 2022, the Pittsburgh Steelers will transition to a new era with a new quarterback at the helm after the retirement of future first ballot Hall of Fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at the end of last season. The Steelers will look to lean on impressive running back Najee Harris and the running game, but the team has an extremely talented WR corps to utilize as well.
The Steelers are impressive in the way that they draft and develop wide receivers and guess what? They added two more big-time playmakers at the position via the 2022 NFL Draft. The team added WR George Pickens and Calvin Austin III to a group that already consisted of star wide receiver, Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers Diontae Johnson (#18) and Chase Claypool (#11) celebrate at Heinz Field. | The Athletic
Monson listed in the article:
"Biggest Strength: Receivers"
"Few teams have shown the kind of consistent success in drafting receivers as the Pittsburgh Steelers. So it makes sense that reports suggest they don’t want to pay Diontae Johnson over $20 million a year — they have a consistent track record of replacing receivers and developing young players without huge investment.The additions of George Pickens and Calvin Austin III in the draft may allow them to let Johnson walk in a year’s time without concern, and in the meantime they all get to play in the same offense, along with Chase Claypool and also Pat Freiermuth at tight end."
Monson is right, and I have stated it many times, no other team in the NFL has shown the ability to draft and develop wide receivers quite like the Steelers have in recent history.
The Steelers may just play the waiting game with Johnson, in regards to giving him an extension. The wide receiver contract numbers are inflated right now, due to the contract that WR Christian Kirk signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars this off-season, anyway. I'm not going to talk about the money in anyone's pockets, good for Kirk, but I know every NFL wide receiver is thanking him for snagging such a huge deal.
Both, Austin and Pickens, are intriguing, for sure, and they very well could be why the team waits on giving Johnson an extension. Especially, the type of extension that Johnson is going to warrant due to how inflated the WR contracts are currently. Austin is small, but extremely fast, but uses his size to motivate him in his game! Pickens could be a star in the making, but we'll have to wait and see! He knows how explosive he can be, and is very aware of his own strengths.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers, George Pickens (#14) and Tyler Vaughns (#80) participate in the organized team activities (OTA’s), Thursday, May 26, 2022 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. | Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
Just ask Pickens himself, he's explosive, due to his...
“Really? Everything. I’ll probably say my catch radius, I’m tall, my arms are long. Like, you were just talking about them, fast, too. So strong, physical. I can block, I can really do everything. And I think when they say explosive, that’s like an overall aspect of my game.”
I would say the potential of the wide receivers corps is a big strength on the 2022 roster, but I don't know if it is the biggest strength. It very well could be on the offensive side of the ball. But we all know, the team's biggest strength is the defense and the pass rush that comes along with a dominant defense.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 08: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts during warm up before a game against the Chicago Bears at Heinz Field on November 08, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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