Steelers' Omar Khan Should Already Be Preparing His Pitch To 3 Specific Free Agent Wide Receivers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering the 2025 offseason arguably in a worse position than when the 2024 break began. Quarterback remains a question mark, the defense has some huge holes to address, and the offense may be without a true number one wide receiver if the decision is made to move on from problematic pass-catcher George Pickens. If the former second-round pick is shown the door, it could be argued that the Steel City holds the worst receiving corps in the league. The draft could provide some assets, but General Manager Omar Khan is going to have to make a splash in free agency.

The Steelers currently are slated to have roughly $52 million of cap space, via Over The Cap, but that is subject to shuffle around a bit. Overall, though, the team is in a very good place financially. Some money was rolled over from 2024, and there are a few players that will end up being cap casualties, which will free up even more space. On top of that, a couple of restructures could allow Pittsburgh to be big-time spenders.

It has to start with wide receiver, and there are some big names that will be available. It's important that Khan and co. find the right guy for the locker room, given the franchise's recent history with the position.

1.) Chris Godwin - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The player fans would want to see on the top of this list will come second, but Chris Godwin presents a unique mix of talent and veteran leadership. He has a Super Bowl pedigree and has been phenomenal throughout his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is coming off a season-ending dislocated ankle, but is expected to be good to go for 2025.

Through seven games in 2024, he hauled in 50 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns. Impressively enough, he was on pace for a career year at the age of 28. He could be a little less expensive than the top target, so he should be on the radar almost immediately for Khan. Pittsburgh's offense has been stagnant, but any receiver will be pleased to come to town and be the most efficient pass-catcher in the bunch.

2.) Tee Higgins - Cincinnati Bengals

The best free agent on the market is none other than Tee Higgins from the Cincinnati Bengals. He might not even end up negotiating with other teams, as the Steelers' division rival may be able to lock him into a new contract before free agency begins. Nonetheless, he is a big-bodied force that will thrive in any offense, even if Ja'Marr Chase isn't on the opposite side of him.

Higgins was on and off the field during the 2024 season with injuries, but still managed to play in grab 73 catches for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns. He only played in 12 games. He has the talent to be a legitimate number one receiver in the NFL. Pittsburgh's quarterback situation may turn him off, which is why Khan needs to open up the checkbook.

3.) Marquise "Hollywood" Brown - Kansas City Chiefs

Stefon Diggs will be coming off of a torn ACL and has had his fair share of outbursts during his career. While Marquise Brown might not necessarily factor in as a number one wide receiver, he is still young and will have time to get fully healthy throughout the 2025 offseason. Currently a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, he finally returned back to action in two of the Chiefs' final three regular season games.

Brown would be expected to sign a lesser contract than the aforementioned receivers, but if Pickens is traded, Pittsburgh will still need another dynamic pass-catcher to make the group more formidable. Brown may not rank as the third-best wide receiver free agent available, but his age and abilities to make big plays should interest everyone in the Steelers' front office.

There are some other dynamic veterans that should be available such as DeAndre Hopkins, Amari Cooper and Keenan Allen, but time will tell if the Steelers have any interest. It's a two-way street, and older players are not just looking to hold onto playing time, but also compete for a championship. Pittsburgh might not have that attraction currently, especially given the quarterback situation.

Steelers Will Have Plenty Of Bargain Wide Receiver Options In 2025 Offseason

Pittsburgh has been known in recent years to sign cheap veterans to join the receiving corps. The whole unit can't be made up of big-name free agents and draft picks, so fans should expect some familiar names to come to town on less expensive deals. Names to look out for include Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, Tyler Boyd, Tim Patrick, and possibly even Van Jefferson returning.

Who do you want to see the Steelers sign in free agency? Let us know in the comments below!

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