The Pittsburgh Steelers are an interesting team to keep an eye on as the 2025 regular season draws nearer. The organization kicked off Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on Tuesday, as fans await the potential arrival of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. All signs point towards the quarterback eventually signing a deal in Pittsburgh, but the observers will have to continue to be patient. Another interesting position to watch is wide receiver, as the Steelers find themselves in a similar situation to the 2024 season.
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Steelers' DK Metcalf during Phase 1 of offseason workouts in 2025.
Pittsburgh made headlines ahead of free agency by acquiring star wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a second-round draft pick. This got the fan base excited as fans began to imagine what it would be like to see Metcalf and George Pickens in the same offense, but that dream wound up being short-lived as Pickens was eventually traded to the Dallas Cowboys. Now, the Pittsburgh wide receiver room is pretty bleak outside of Metcalf, and tight end Pat Freiermuth was asked about that by reporter Chris Adamski after practice on Tuesday.
"I mean, I'm not really thinking about it too much," Freiermuth said. "You know, if there is more of a role for me, great. I'm fully capable of picking up that role. But if we add another guy, great. Obviously it's a long way from camp. Long way from the season. We'll see if people end up coming or whatever, but I'm excited about the guys we have right now."
Freiermuth was asked about the lack of depth at wide receiver, and how he might have to accept a bigger role in the passing game for the offense. He is more than capable of lining up more in the slot, and getting more targets. That is something that fans have actually lobbied for quite a bit in recent years, and if no major wide receiver additions are made, Freiermuth might be in line to have his best season yet.
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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) looks on during a game against the Dallas Cowboys in 2024.
The Steelers should be looking at the wide receiver market, although Freiermuth can take on the load of seeing more targets. Pittsburgh needs another wide receiver to take some pressure off of Metcalf, and there are some quality options available on the open market. Currently, Gabe Davis, Keenan Allen, and Amari Cooper are all free agents. Since they are all veteran players, they may wait until training camp gets closer to sign a deal anywhere.
Outside of free agency, Pittsburgh should have some options in the trade market. The Green Bay Packers would be an interesting space to look due to the crowded room they have, as well as the idea that they added two wide receivers within the first two days of the 2025 NFL Draft. Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks are two names to watch, as they may be the odd men out with the two rookies coming into the organization.
Steelers Could Be Holding Out For Aaron Rodgers To Make Wide Receiver Decision
Rodgers has not signed in Pittsburgh yet, but the coaching staff likely knows whether or not he is coming. The brass in Pittsburgh might wait to get Rodgers' input when it comes to acquiring a wide receiver, just to see what his preference would be. This way Pittsburgh's offense has its best chance to succeed, which in turn gives the Steelers the best chance to win the most games in 2025.
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Former New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Allen Lazard embrace before a game.
Something interesting to note would be that Doubs and Rodgers did in fact play together for one season in Green Bay. That familiarity might be enough for Rodgers to advise Pittsburgh to trade for Doubs, who has had a fairly decent career so far with the Packers -- although injuries have played a factor.
What do you think of Freiermuth's remarks? Do you see him having a bigger role in 2025? Let us know in the comments down below!
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