The Pittsburgh Steelers needed some reinforcements at the wide receiver position, but General Manager Omar Khan could not pull the trigger prior to the NFL's annual trade deadline. The first game after came against the Los Angeles Chargers, and no pass-catcher had more than 35 receiving yards. It was a very strong reminder that the offense in the Steel City still has strides that it needs to take. Sitting down on the practice squad is Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who could be elevated sooner rather than later. Another option prior to Thursday would have been Isaiah Hodgins, who has been with the team since September.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @: JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan looks on as the team sets up in front of fans to workout at the annual Friday Night Lights training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
Hodgins has bounced around during his NFL career, but only has been able to get on the field in professional games with the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills. He has had a couple of respectable seasons; however, the majority of his tenure in the league has been with him on practice squads. The Steelers have yet to give him an opportunity to participate in a meaningful contest, and that will remain the case.
On Thursday morning, it was reported by Dan Duggan from The Athletic that Hodgins will be moving on from Pittsburgh. He was signed to the Giants' active roster directly from the Steelers' practice squad, thanks to a move made by General Manager Joe Schoen.
A reunion: The Giants are signing Isaiah Hodgins off the Steelers’ practice squad, per source.
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) November 13, 2025
Six weeks after this was an obvious move, but better late than never! Hodgins knows the system and will provide a reliable target to a WR room lacking reliable targets.
Teams know the risk associated with having talented individuals on practice squads. Any of the other 31 organizations can sign these players to their active rosters. This was the case here with Hodgins. For guys like Valdes-Scantling and Asante Samuel Jr., however, they can reject a move as such if they know Pittsburgh will be elevating them soon. It takes two to tango in these situations, and Hodgins was ready to depart the Steel City.
Corey Sipkin / New York Post
Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins runs with the football as he participates in a professional football game for New York during a contest at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
The Steelers' wide receiving corps is rather light, but fans should not be surprised if the team elects to re-sign Trey Sermon to the practice squad in an attempt to replace Hodgins. The running back and key special teams piece was released during a plethora of moves that the franchise made on Wednesday.
We have activated QB Will Howard to the Active Roster from the Reserve/Injured List, signed CB Asante Samuel Jr. to the Practice Squad, waived RB Trey Sermon from the Active Roster & released DB Darrick Forrest from the Practice Squad. @BordasLawhttps://t.co/1Fxb4XYDnB
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 12, 2025
All eyes will turn towards Valdes-Scantling. He is the only remaining wide receiver on the Steelers' practice squad, but the team could have none as a part of that unit come a Week 11 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. It can't hurt to see what the veteran has left in the tank, particularly because he has such a strong rapport with Aaron Rodgers. It doesn't matter who necessarily, but Pittsburgh needs more pass-catching options to be getting open so that DK Metcalf can be freed up.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf sets up at the line of scrimmage while the team gets a work out in during 2025 training camp as fans watch the annual Friday Night Lights practice in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Didn't Seem Very Interested In Hodgins
While it never is ideal to lose a depth piece that works in with the practice squad, Hodgins wasn't given a true chance in Pittsburgh to excel. With the arrival of Valdes-Scantling, it made complete sense for the pass-catcher to agree to a contract with the Giants, a team that is struggling at the wide receiver position. It will be interesting to see what the decision-makers in the Steel City will do to replenish the position.
Do you think that the Steelers should have given Hodgins a shot to prove himself? Let us know in the comments below!
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