The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a very similar spot to where they were during this time in 2024. A new veteran quarterback was on the roster, and the wide receiver room had a ton of question marks in it outside of the top spot. The only difference in 2025 is that Aaron Rodgers will be lining up under center while DK Metcalf takes over the responsibilities at wide receiver. The organization traded with the Seattle Seahawks to land Metcalf and then sent George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, but the roster in Pittsburgh still looks similar when it comes to the concerns at receiver.
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Pittsburgh Steelers' DK Metcalf during the team's 2025 mandatory minicamp.
Behind Metcalf are Roman Wilson and Calvin Austin III. Austin has gotten better in each season he has played in the NFL, and he could turn himself into a legitimate third option at wide receiver. They key is going to be Wilson, and whether or not he can come out and make an immediate impact after missing nearly his entire rookie year.
If he can prove throughout training camp that he can be a solid player at the NFL level, then the wide receiver position is not as much of an issue as originally thought. Pittsburgh insider Mark Kaboly went on 93.7 The Fan on Friday where he was asked about the receiver position and any type of upgrade that could be made to the group. He shared his thoughts on when something might happen, and the fan base won't be too happy.
"What it looks like now is that they're waiting until the end of camp here." Kaboly said. "That's what it looks like. End of training camp, someone gets cut."
The fact that a move at wide receiver has not been made yet, especially when there is some legitimate talent still available in free agency, shows that the organization wants to see what it has internally before making any decisions. This would follow Kaboly's theory, and it would support that a move at the position would not be made until the end of training camp when cuts are made.
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Gabe Davis during his time with the Buffalo Bills in 2023.
The Steelers have already had Gabe Davis in for a visit, but for whatever reason, he left without a deal. Amari Cooper and Keenan Allen are two other names that are available on the open market, and it is fair to assume that adding either player would be an upgrade to the positional group in Pittsburgh.
If the Steelers wait to see what they already have on the roster, it means someone will get cut, and the organization will acquire someone to take their spot. Pittsburgh typically keeps six wide receivers on the 53-man roster, and it is safe to assume that Metcalf, Austin, Wilson, and Woods are probably all locks to make it.
Ben Skowronek might also be considered that due to his abilities on special teams, and his willingness to be a blocker in the run game. That leaves the sixth spot up for grabs between Scotty Miller, Brandon Johnson, Roc Taylor, or some other player that emerges during camp.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan sits down for an interview.
Steelers Are Actually Playing The Receiver Position Smart
Pittsburgh waiting throughout camp shows the rest of the league that the franchise is not as desperate at wide receiver as some might think. It also gives the coaching staff time to evaluate the talent at receiver that is already on the roster, and it allows them to wait and see what becomes available throughout the rest of the league.
There are some teams with interesting wide receiver rooms who might end up cutting some decent players in order to get to their final 53-man roster. This is where Pittsburgh can sign a wide receiver that could come in and make a decent impact throughout the year. The Steelers could also get active on the trade market, but that wouldn't happen until camp gets underway.
What do you think about the timeline for Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments below!
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