The Pittsburgh Steelers are busy at work continuing to bring in talent to help benefit and fill out their roster. Depth is apparent at most of the positions as the organization utilizes Organized Team Activities (OTAs) to analyze what they have, and see what other areas still need to be addressed. Even after selecting Roman Wilson in the 2024 NFL Draft and bringing in players that can contribute as rotational pieces, there is still that hunger from fans for a big name addition at receiver.
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Steelers' Roman Wilson during the 2024 NFL Combine.
Several player names have been linked to the Steelers this offseason as potential trade candidates. These names have ranged from Tee Higgins to Brandon Aiyuk. There is one name, however, that has gone under the radar as a fit for the Steelers in Minnesota Vikings star receiver, Justin Jefferson.
According to Bleacher Report, if the Steelers were one of the teams that were possibly looking to trade for Jefferson after the draft in April, BR presented a realistic asking price.
"Minnesota Vikings Receive: WR George Pickens, 2025 1st Round Pick, 2026 Third Round Pick
Pittsburgh Steelers Receive: WR Justin Jefferson"
Jefferson, the 24 year old All-Pro, heads into 2024 playing on his fifth-year option and has been vocal about his unhappiness with the Vikings. After allowing Kirk Cousins to leave for Atlanta in free agency, and drafting JJ McCarthy in the 2024 NFL Draft, Jefferson has been absent at OTAs, awaiting a better contract offer. On paper, this would be a slam dunk trade for the Steelers.
Pittsburgh would be able to add to their receiving core bringing in arguably the best receiver in the game today in exchange for two draft picks and a high potential receiver. The Steelers have followed this model in the past, most recently in the trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick in 2019. But when trading for Fitzpatrick, the Steelers didn't have to immediately extend him like they would for Jefferson.
This would however, continue the mantra of putting every possible piece in place for Russell Wilson to guide this team into a deep playoff run, and propel the Steelers into an all-in push for a Super Bowl title.
Can The Steelers Afford Jefferson?
Jefferson has already reportedly turned down a $30+ million per year contract offer from the Vikings. This means that he either is looking to outgain the contact signed by AJ Brown this offseason whose three-year, $96 million deal makes him the highest paid receiver in the NFL, or is just unhappy with the direction Minnesota is headed. Steelers fans are obviously hoping for the former, which would put the Vikings in less of a position to negotiate.
Derik Hamilton / AP
Steelers' Minkah Fitzpatrick defends a pass to AJ Brown of the Eagles, who scored 3 touchdowns on their way to victory.
Though there is plenty of intrigue regarding what Pickens can do with a proven quarterback under center, it's hard to scoff at the idea of trading him for a true number one receiver the Black and Gold have lacked since Antonio Brown. They have plenty of receivers that could thrive as a second or third option, but no other double-team worthy threat outside of Pickens.
Having a player of Jefferson's caliber makes everything easy for other offensive skill players, and allow the play-action game to have true merit. If the Steelers can poach Jefferson at the above mentioned asking price, and not have to pay an arm and a leg to extend him, then this provides an offense that had trouble moving last season with some serious potential moving forward.
George Pickens - Instagram
Steelers receiver, George Pickens, catches the ball against Browns' defender, Martin Emerson Jr.
However, it's hard to give up on the talent that Pickens has flashed in Pittsburgh. Over a two-year span with unproven arms throwing to him, Pickens has 115 catches for 1,941 yards and 9 touchdowns. Keeping this in mind, he has only improved each year since being drafted out of Georgia and is coming off his first career 1,000-yard season.
The ideal plan for the Steelers would likely be to hold onto Pickens and pair him with Jefferson. Yet, with a king's ransom to be demanded to get Jefferson, the price may not be worth paying for the Steelers. With several players already scheduled for new deals beyond this season headlined by two quarterbacks, and a long-time team captain in Cam Heyward, the Steelers may elect to maintain the status quo and trust the players they drafted.
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