Steelers Were At The Forefront For Big Play Receiver During Free Agency But His Wife Stepped In

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2025 offseason has been filled with uncertainty. The quarterback situation dominated headlines for months, with constant debate over who would lead the team under center. That question has finally been answered, as Aaron Rodgers announced he will be the Steelers' starting quarterback for the upcoming season, bringing clarity and a veteran presence to the position.

Now the concern has shifted to the wide receiver room. The Steelers made a big move by trading for DK Metcalf, hoping to give Rodgers a physical and explosive target. However, that excitement was quickly met with confusion when the team traded away star wide receiver George Pickens. The move sparked worry among fans and analysts, who now question whether the depth and overall talent at the position is strong enough.

In a recent article for the New York Times, Dan Pompei revealed that the Steelers were not done trying to reshape the wide receiver group. According to Pompei, the team was also pursuing veteran wide receiver Chris Godwin. While a deal never happened, it shows the front office has been aggressive in its efforts to give Rodgers more reliable options and strengthen the offense ahead of a high-stakes season.

"But four other teams wanted Godwin, with the Patriots and Steelers at the forefront, according to Godwin," Pompei said. "The Bucs made their best offer, and then the Patriots came hard, offering an average of $30 million per year on a multi-year deal, he says. And it’s possible there was more juice to be squeezed there. The Buccaneers’ offer was for three years at $66 million, averaging $22 million per season."

The biggest offer on the table came from the New England Patriots, who were prepared to pay Godwin $30 million per year. Surprisingly, Godwin turned it down and chose to remain with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for $22 million annually.

The decision left many around the league stunned, given the significant $8 million difference in yearly salary. However, the surprising truth behind Godwin’s choice came down to something more personal than money.

According to reports, Godwin made the decision after a long and heartfelt discussion with his wife, ultimately prioritizing stability, family, and comfort in Tampa Bay over a larger paycheck elsewhere.

"One opinion mattered to Godwin — his wife Mariah’s," Pompei said. "They went over the possibilities and concluded they would take less, much less, to stay in Tampa."

Ultimately, it’s interesting to know the Steelers had very real interest in Godwin. The price to get him would have been more than $30 million, and based on his decision to take $8 million less to stay in Tampa Bay, it really feels like Godwin and the Steelers never truly had much of a chance. 

Despite the team’s aggressive efforts, Godwin’s loyalty to the Buccaneers—and his personal priorities—ultimately kept him in Florida.

Steelers Found A Star Wide Receiver Either Way

The Steelers quickly pivoted and ended up trading for Metcalf, agreeing to a $30 million per year deal. It was a bold move, especially after shipping out Pickens, but Pittsburgh is clearly committed to surrounding Rodgers with elite talent. 

Now, the Steelers are prepared to unleash a potentially dominant duo on offense with Rodgers and Metcalf leading the charge. Reports hint that Omar Khan and the Steelers aren't done trying to improve this passing attack. The Steelers are still looking for a playmaker to complement Metcalf.

The chemistry between the two already appears to be strong, as reports confirmed that Rodgers and Metcalf trained together during the offseason. That early work could pay dividends once the season begins. While Godwin may have never been a realistic option in the end, the Steelers landed a physical, explosive playmaker who fits perfectly in their win-now window with Rodgers at quarterback.

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