The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering the 2025 season with four-time MVP and future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback. Rodgers, who signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh worth up to just under $20 million, is expected to be a major factor on the Steelers' offense despite being in the later stages off his career. The former Green Bay Packer is reportedly the healthiest he has looked in years, as Rodgers should have no problem thriving with DK Metcalf as his top receiving option.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2025 minicamp, Tuesday June 10, 2025.
Metcalf, who was acquired in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks earlier in the 2025 offseason, is expected to be a major beneficiary of Rodgers' presence throughout the season. As the former Seahawk continues to solidify himself as the Steelers' clear cut wide receiver one, many feel as if Pittsburgh is still lacking depth at the position.
Calvin Austin lll is currently projected to be the Steelers' top receiver behind Metcalf, as the rising star finds himself entering the final year of his rookie deal. With speculation continuing to surround the talent in the Steelers' wide receiver room, former NFL wide receiver and analyst Andrew Hawkins shared his thoughts on the situation.
"I'm not super hopeful to be honest with you." Hawkins stated in regards to the talent currently in the wide receiver room. "That's not a knock on the Steelers, that's not a knock on Aaron Rodgers. I just haven't seen Aaron Rodgers at his best in years."
Hawkins then continued to speak more about the Steelers' top options behind Metcalf, claiming the former Seahawk may struggle with no true second option playing behind him.
"So now he goes to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and they have DK Metcalf on one side, but who's the number two receiver? DK is about to go into a situation where he's not used to not having someone on the other side to take that attention away."
Despite Hawkins' concerns, the Steelers are widely expected to role with Metcalf and Austin as their top receiving duo throughout the 2025 season. Austin has reportedly shined throughout the offseason, and was recently named the teams' second option by wide receiver coach Zach Azzanni. Pittsburgh may opt to add depth behind their top options, but the addition of a true wide receiver two (WR2) at this point in the offseason remains unlikely.
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Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (#19) makes a tough catch while going through drills during a 2022 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Originally a walk-on at Memphis, Austin is a rising star that has continued to improve throughout every stage of his young career. Entering the final year of his rookie deal, Austin finds himself facing the most important season of his career as the rising star will look to add value towards his next contract. With both Metcalf and Austin cemented as the Steelers' top receiving options, the team may opt to add veteran depth behind the two stars.
Steelers Could Absolutely Add Veteran Depth To The Wide Receiver Room
While both Metcalf and Austin remain as top options, the Steelers may opt to sign a veteran wideout in hopes of adding depth and an extra option for Rodgers. Roman Wilson remains on Pittsburgh's roster as well, as the young receiver is expected to open the season as Pittsburgh's wide receiver three (WR3). With multiple veterans remaining available, the Steelers have recently been linked to New York Jets' receiver Allen Lazard.
Lazard, who shined throughout his years in Green Bay with Rodgers, is a solid veteran option who is widely expected to be cut by the Jets in the near future. Lazard was teammates with Rodgers in both Green Bay and New York, as Pittsburgh would quickly become a major beneficiary of the two veterans' pre-established connection. Lazard would emerge as cheaper option as well, as the veteran is in the later stage of his career.
The New York Times
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers with former teammate Allen Lazard.
While Lazard remains a top option, Amari Cooper remains available on the market as well. Cooper, who was traded from the Cleveland Browns to the Buffalo Bills in a midseason deal last year, is an elite option who would more than likely become a major weapon at Rodgers' disposal. Cooper would almost certainly challenge Austin for the wide receiver two role, as the veteran still finds himself without a team prior to the start of training camp.
With Metcalf and Austin projected to take on the majority of the receiving workload, Pittsburgh is expected to continue evaluating the market in hopes of adding depth at the position. Rodgers should thrive under center in Pittsburgh if healthy, as Austin very well may find himself having a career year while playing with the four-time MVP. As the start of training camp continues to grow closer, fans should continue to monitor the Steelers' activity on the free agency market.
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