Steelers' Failure At Finding Long-Term Wide Receiver For Many Years Could Affect 2025 Draft Approach

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in desperate need of drafting a stud wide receiver in the early rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft in April. With George Pickens entering his fourth and final year of his rookie contract, his future in the black and gold is in question. With that, the Steelers need to find a receiver that can play by Pickens' side in 2025, but also could potentially become the team's number one option if the team decides to move on from Pickens. Pittsburgh has struggled finding long-term solutions at receiver for some years now, and 2025 is the year to change that. 

Steelers football in the 2000s and 2010s had a wide variety of different star receivers who had spent large portions of their careers in Pittsburgh. Hines Ward, Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, Plaxico Burress, and Antwaan Randle El, all held that tradition for the Steelers, which continued the expectation of Pittsburgh being a special place to play the position. That, however, has not been the case in recent years for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers. 

Pittsburgh has still, to this point, been fabulous at finding talent at the wide receiver position through the draft. Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Martavis Bryant were all drafted since 2014 or later, and each of them had their own issues remaining a Steeler. Tomlin has continuously been given high praise for his ability to manage these "diva" receivers, but has never been able to get one on the right track mentally and keep them long-term. 

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Sports recently discussed the Steelers' need to draft a wide receiver this offseason to pair alongside with Pickens. Steelers' insider Brian Batko explained what approach the franchise should have as it prepares to take another receiver in this year's draft. 

"You go down the list and the days of Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders are pretty far gone at this point," Batko said. "[Juju Smith-Schuster] was a great find and he's still doing well. And guys like Martavis Bryant and Chase Claypool were flashes in the pan for different reasons. I should mention Diontae Johnson, as well. He was productive for awhile, until he wasn't."

Batko's continued by pointing out that the Steelers haven't left the door open for a bunch of these receivers to second contracts.

"So they haven't had that next long-term guy and they haven't always been eager to give out second contracts to wide receivers. I think they almost treat the position as one that you can restock pretty reliably in the draft and I think that's generally smart business. But man, wouldn't it be nice to find somebody who can be here for eight to ten years instead of three to five years."

The Steelers have failed at finding a star receiver that can remain with the franchise for more than just a couple of years. Pittsburgh needs to find that in either Pickens or the next receiver it chooses to draft this year. 

While speculation has been circulating, Pickens will likely remain in Pittsburgh for the final year of his rookie contract in 2025. Next season will be a huge test for him to show if he's reached a level of maturity on and off of the field. If Pickens doesn't have a huge year as both a receiver and leader of the team, he won't be getting a new contract from the Steelers.

Steelers Will Likely Target Free Agency Options At Wide Receiver

With the Steelers needing such help at wideout and after their previously expressed interests in other expensive receivers, Pittsburgh will be eyeing some star receivers that are set to become free agents. The hottest name floating around the Steelers is Tee Higgins, who could be looking for roughly $30 million a year. The Steelers were ready to offer that type of money when Brandon Aiyuk was rumored to be in trade discussions in the 2024 offseason. 

What do you think the Steelers should do at wide receiver this offseason? Who could potentially be the next long-term star wideout that the entire city of Pittsburgh could get behind? Let us know in the comments below.

#SteelerNation