The Pittsburgh Steelers will be looking all over the place to find a quality wide receiver, whether it's via the trade market or free agency in 2025. Hopefully, they learned from 2024 that they can't just put all their eggs in one basket and hope for the best; they need as many backup plans as they can make. Even their own players are trying to do their part by recruiting Christian Kirk on Instagram. It's safe to say that the front office will be doing everything they can to turn the receiving room from one of the worst in the league, to one of the best.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan picks up the phone in the team's war room during the 2023 NFL Draft weekend.
While making an appearance on 93.7 The Fan, Mike Florio was asked about the direction that the Steelers would go at the receiver position. He talked about what should likely be priority number one for them.
"Well, I would want a guy who's healthy more than anything else -- and a guy who has a history of being healthy," explained Florio. "Cooper Kupp, 'Hey, he would've had a 1,000-yard season every year since 2021 if he had been healthy,' but he wasn't healthy, and you're assuming the risk that he's going to have health issues, so I want a guy that I'm confident that he's going to be healthy."
Many of the receivers that are available are there because of health concerns. Kirk missed half of 2024 due to a broken collarbone. Cooper Kupp has had numerous injuries plague him since his generational season a few years back, as Florio mentions. It's hard to pay a player and rely on them to be a regular contributor when that player is on the move for failing to do exactly that, even if it's not his fault.
Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY Sports
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (#13) runs on the field against the Los Angeles Chargers during a wild-card playoff game at then-TIAA Bank Field.
Florio continues on to say his favorite option for the Steelers: a player that has been healthy and on the field for nearly his entire career.
"I think Davante Adams is the best of the bunch right now, but the question is, how much is he going to want? Free agent for the first time in his career, but I want a guy who's going to come in and is a proven competitor who's going to produce and has a history of being healthy," said Florio.
Adams has played in double-digit games in every year of his career. The fewest amount that he has played in a season was in 2015, when he played in 12 regular season games and one postseason contest. He managed to bring in over 1,000 yards receiving in 2024 despite being on two bad teams and missing three games in the process.
Stephen R. Sylvanie / USA TODAY Sports
Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams stands on the frustration looking frustrated during a professional football contest in Las Vegas, NV.
While his absence was ruled to be a hamstring injury, it seemed more like he was fed up with the Las Vegas Raiders and did not want to play. Once he was traded, he immediately got healthy again and started every game after that. He put up over 800 yards in 11 games with the New York Jets before they cut him.
Would The Steelers Have A Place For Adams On The Roster?
While Adams is still a big name, there are questions about him being a scheme fit for the Steelers. Of course, they have no clue who their starting quarterback will be yet, and General Manager Omar Khan previously stated that they will figure out the receiving core once they sign their starter for 2025.
Florio also mentioned the price tag for Adams. He is 32 years old, and there are questions starting to surface about how much he has left. It wouldn't make sense for the Steelers to give him a massive contract, even if he is very healthy. If they can get him on a three-year deal with an out after the first season, Khan might sign that deal.
What do you think about the Steelers needing to target healthy receivers, as well as Adams' fit with the team? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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