The Pittsburgh Steelers have been a major topic of conversation throughout this offseason, consistently making headlines in the media. Their offseason has had a mix of key acquisitions and significant departures. One of the most notable recent moves was the trade of wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. The deal generated plenty of discussion, as it left a noticeable gap in the Steelers' receiving corps and raised questions about how they plan to fill that void moving forward.
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Former Steelers wide receiver George Pickens during a game against the Cowboys.
Recently, reports have surfaced about the possibility of the Steelers pursuing a trade for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave. However, Ross Jackson, a writer and analyst covering the Saints, took to X to weigh in on the rumors. In his post, he drew a comparison between the potential Olave trade and the Steelers’ earlier acquisition of veteran wide receiver DK Metcalf, suggesting that such a move would require a similarly significant investment.
The Steelers traded a second and sixth for DK Metcalf. I doubt the #Saints would even entertain anything involving Olave for a less than a second (and still probably would be a long shot). I doubt Pittsburgh is looking to cough that up after the DK trade.
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) May 16, 2025
The Steelers didn’t just give up valuable draft capital to acquire Metcalf, they doubled down on their commitment by giving him a substantial long-term contract. The Steelers signed Metcalf to a five-year, $150 million deal, solidifying their belief in his value to the team. This bold financial move places Metcalf among the highest-paid wide receivers in the league, showing just how much the Steelers are investing in his role as a key aspect of their offense.
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Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf looking to extend a play during his time playing in Seattle.
Over the past few seasons, Pickens has been a key part in the Steelers' offense, finishing last season as the team's leader in receiving yards. Many fans had hoped the team would pair him with another talented wideout to form a dominant receiving duo. However, with Pickens now traded, Metcalf now steps in as the unquestioned number one receiver. The focus has now shifted to finding a complementary piece to strengthen the receiving corps and give the offense the depth it needs.
Several wide receivers have been rumored as potential additions to the Steelers' roster, especially with a number of free agent options still available. Olave's name has surfaced largely due to the unexpected retirement of Saints quarterback Derek Carr. Carr’s retirement came after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft, leaving the Saints in a challenging position.
While they did select a quarterback, it seemed not to be their priority, making it uncertain whether he’ll be ready to take command of the offense this season, which has fueled speculation about the Saints possibly making roster changes, including the availability of Olave.
Olave is known for being a great route-runner, which helps him get open no matter where he is on the field. His sharp cuts and smooth movement make him a dependable target in many types of plays. Olave is also very fast, as he gets off the line quickly and can run past defenders, making him a big deep-play threat.
On top of that, he has strong, reliable hands and great body control, allowing him to make tough catches, even when defenders are close.
Steelers Are Collecting Future Draft Capital
Through a combination of trades and possible compensatory picks, the Steelers have been building up their draft capital. Instead of bringing in more wide receivers right now, the team may choose to focus on developing the talent they already have on the roster. They could also use some of their future draft picks to add young wide receivers, giving them time to grow within the system and strengthen the position group over the long term.
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Pittsburgh Steelers' front office Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin after making a selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The 2026 NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh, right in the Steelers' own backyard. With the spotlight on their city, the team may be motivated to make a major move that could shape their future. While it's still uncertain what direction the Steelers will take, all eyes will be on who eventually steps up to become part of Metcalf’s new receiving duo.
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