The Pittsburgh Steelers spent the entirety of the 2024 offseason looking for valuable additions to the wide receiver group, and it looks like the 2025 offseason will have the same agenda. After the trade that sent Diontae Johnson away, the Steelers filled the receiving corps behind George Pickens with guys like Van Jefferson and Roman Wilson.
Brevin Townsell / LA Rams
Rams' Cooper Kupp during a game with the Los Angeles in 2024.
In the 2025 offseason, the Steelers will surely have to be more aggressive in finding high-end wideouts that are on the open market, in an effort to build a more explosive offense. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, the uncertainty surrounding the offense could give players a reason to have no interest in playing for the black and gold.
One of the many prolific wide receivers that has already been told he will be traded this offseason is Cooper Kupp, who the Steelers were linked to before the 2024 trade deadline. Due to the large cap hit, the Los Angeles Rams are ready to move on from the former Offensive Player of the Year, which opens an opportunity for Omar Khan and the Steelers.
Although seemingly many NFL players would happily play for such a storied organization like Pittsburgh, the team's offensive woes in recent years could cost it greatly during the hunt for a wide receiver.
While going over some of the possible receiver targets for this offseason, Steelers insider Brian Batko with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette shared why he believes Kupp will have no interest in being dealt to Pittsburgh.
"I think Cooper Kupp is going to go somewhere where he knows he's going to a Super Bowl contender and the quarterback situation is figured out," Batko said. "The offensive coaching staff is going to have a plan for him. I don't think he would even want to come to Pittsburgh, even if Pittsburgh really likes him."
Considering Kupp will be turning 32 in 2025 and has suffered multiple injuries in recent seasons, the number of years he has left in him must be low. Although the Steelers are somewhat competitive seemingly each and every season, Pittsburgh isn't on the cusp of winning a championship, and that's what Kupp will be searching for at the finishing stages of his NFL career.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers President Art Rooney II (left) and General Manager Omar Khan (right) stands on the field prior to a professional football game in 2023.
Kupp would certainly be a huge addition to one of the league's weakest receiving groups like the Steelers, but if there isn't mutual interest between the two parties, Pittsburgh will have plenty of other options to explore.
The fans can expect the franchise to take a receiver at some point during the draft in April, and there's also many other veteran wideouts that will either be traded or become free agents this offseason. Deebo Samuel and Davante Adams also have high probabilities of hitting the open market in 2025, which gives the Steelers other experienced veterans to choose from.
Steelers' Quarterback Decision Will Be Crucial For Attracting Offensive Weapons
The Steelers have not made an official decision to this point on which quarterback, if either, will return in 2025 between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Both have verbally expressed interest in continuing their careers in the black and gold, but the front office made it clear that only one of them will be given an opportunity. In order for players to have any level of interest in playing in the Steelers' offense, the team's decision at quarterback will have a huge impact on that.
Kupp won't be the only receiver that prefers to be traded to or sign with a team that can actually compete for a Super Bowl. All of the older veterans who are nearing the back-end of their careers will want to be competitive in 2025, and Pittsburgh has no promise of that until they find their starting quarterback.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Russell Wilson and Justin Fields during practice at the end of the 2024 season.
If Pittsburgh mishandles the looming uncertainty at quarterback, it won't be attracting many play-makers. While a large dose of the fan base is rooting for Fields to get the starting gig, the minds inside the NFL could have a different perspective.
What do you think the Steelers should do? Who should be the starting quarterback in 2025 and which receiver should they attack this offseason to pair together? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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