The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of positions that are in question going into the 2025 season, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The wide receiver spot is a concern as the position was not good enough in 2024, and now the future of George Pickens is in question as he is now eligible for a contract extension. Pittsburgh also needs to figure out the quarterback situation, as all three quarterbacks that were on the roster in 2024 are now set to become free agents.
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Pittsburgh Steelers' Arthur Smith has drawn interest from the New York Jets for their head coach job in 2025.
The Steelers will have many options to explore when it comes to the wide receiver position, but a lot of what the organization decides to do will hinge on whether or not Pickens is with the team in 2025. The organization is expected to explore wide receiver in the draft and free agency, but trading for a top-talent at the position is also on the table. Davante Adams has been one of the best wide receivers in the league for close to a decade, and he was asked about whether or not he would play for Mike Tomlin on the Up & Adams Show.
"Oh, 100 percent." Adams said. "I love Mike. I think anytime you have a coach that's a players coach and you can tell they got a way with their guys, you know those kinds of coaches whether they coach me or not always win me over. So I've had nothing but respect for him, it's been mutual. He's talked to me during some games."
This is one of the major benefits of having Tomlin as a head coach. He is respected by everyone throughout the league, whether Steelers fans want him to be fired or not. Fans have gotten tired of the lack of playoff success, but Tomlin still has quite the draw when it comes to free agents and other plays around the league. That is a good thing to pair with the aggressiveness of General Manager Omar Khan.
Associated Press
Raiders' Davante Adams makes a catch against the Steelers during the 2023 season.
Adams had a lot of his success with the Green Bay Packers, but he joined the Las Vegas Raiders prior to the 2022 season. He was then traded to the New York Jets during the 2024 season. Pittsburgh was considered to be slightly interested in Adams once it became clear that he was going to be traded from the Raiders, but as usual, Khan had no luck in acquiring a top-tier talent at wide receiver.
The veteran wide receiver is under contract through the 2026 season on his current deal, so if he has any plans of playing elsewhere he would need to be traded from the Jets. He carries a cap hit of just over $38 million over the next two seasons, which the Steelers can afford if they want to, however it will be risky. Adams is on the tail end of his career and can still be effective, but it is always risky to trade for a player with that kind of contract.
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Chris Godwin running off the field after a game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Steelers Will Have Plenty Of Options To Explore At Wide Receiver
Pittsburgh needs to address the wide receiver position in some capacity during the 2025 offseason. There are some good free agents that will be available, players like Adams should be available via trade, and the Steelers should be in a good spot to select a wide receiver in the draft. The Steelers will have the 21st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, which is the area that star wide receiver Emeka Egbuka has been projected to fall. Pittsburgh can address the position in the draft and acquire a young guy on a rookie deal, or the organization can choose a riskier route with a guy like Adams or Chris Godwin, who will be a free agent.
What do you want the Steelers to do at wide receiver? Let us know in the comments below!
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