The Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into the 2024 season with arguably the weakest receiving corps the team has had in years. The wide receiver position is typically a strength in the Steel City, but it feels different right now. George Pickens has the talent to take over as Pittsburgh's number one, but behind Pickens it's less than ideal. Van Jefferson looks to be the team's number two option at wide receiver, unless the rookie in Roman Wilson or veterans in Quez Watkins or Scotty Miller step up and take that role. Naturally, Steelers fans have been clamoring for the team to trade for a wide receiver, but it doesn't look likely.
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Former Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson attempts to catch a pass during Super Bowl.
The main trade target in mind for Steelers fans all offseason has been Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk has been trying to get a new contract from the San Francisco 49ers, but the 49ers haven't been able to get that done yet. Aiyuk is coming off of a monster season where he was named second team All-Pro and took a trip to the Super Bowl. He wouldn't be a cheap asset to acquire.
The Steelers would likely have to give up a first-round pick and give him a hefty contract extension just to get him in black and gold. On 93.7 The Fan, Mark Kaboly talked about the possibility of the Steelers adding another wide receiver via trade, this is what he had to say:
"It doesn't look good right now. It doesn't feel good; put it that way."
It sounds as if not just the likelihood of adding Aiyuk is low, but the likelihood that the Steelers add any star wide receiver is low. Kaboly added to his understanding of the situation.
"Who's gonna be out there who's gonna be a difference-maker? If you're throwing Aiyuk out there, and it sure as heck doesn't look like San Francisco wants to get rid of him, then where else do you go?"
Kaboly is right. Most teams aren't trying to offload their star receivers, especially in July. A few other star receivers that have been discussed as trade targets are Courtland Sutton, Terry Mclaurin and DK Metcalf. It's hard to believe Denver and Washington would trade away a good wide receiver after drafting a quarterback in the first round and Seattle really has no reason to part with their young and extremely talented star receiver.
Andy Bao / The Seattle Times
Former Seattle QB Russell Wilson with teammate DK Metcalf.
Steelers Might Have To Deal With What They Have Now At Receiver
Expectations will be extremely high for Pickens as he heads into his third season in the Steel City, but behind him, expectations are pretty low. If any of the Steelers receivers behind Pickens step up and play like a true number two wide receiver in 2024, Steelers fans will have to be happy with that. Jefferson put up 802 yards and six touchdowns in 2021, If he can put up numbers similar to that, the receiving corps won't be as bad as it currently looks.
Wilson, the Steelers' third-round rookie wide receiver may be asked to step up and produce pretty early in his career if none of the veteran wide receivers fill the void in the wide receiver two spot. Wilson had his share of growing pains in Organized Team Activities (OTAs), but he'll get a big opportunity to prove that he's ready to play in this league when training camp comes around.
Karl Roser / Steelers
Receiver Roman Wilson during the Steelers' 2024 rookie camp
Whether it's Wilson, Jefferson, Miller, Watkins or even tight end Pat Freiermuth taking more reps in the slot. Somebody is going to have to step up and be Russell Wilson's second option. The Steelers will run the ball quite a bit, but when Wilson drops back, he can't rely on Pickens to be open every play. Kaboly didn't say a trade is completely off the table, but as we get closer to the start of the regular season, a trade for a star wide receiver looks increasingly less likely.
Do you think one of the Steelers' current wide receivers will step up as WR2? Let us know in the comments below!
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