Steelers' Brian Angelichio May Help Team Land Underrated Free Agent

The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing to head into free agency with the ninth most cap space in the NFL. As they continue to round out their coaching staff, they will now have to prepare for roster moves and scout free agents they may want to go after. With their new offensive coordinator, Brian Angelichio, they could have an easy path to addressing their most significant need. Angelichio was the Minnesota Vikings' pass game coordinator in 2025. There is one free agent from Angelichio's former team that will likely hit the market. This guy isn't a game changer, but he would provide some significant help to the Steelers' offense.

Wide receiver Jalen Nailor is set to be a free agent in March. Nailor was the Vikings' third wide receiver; he is often overshadowed by the likes of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Nailor was a sixth-round pick in 2022. 

He has 1066 yards in his career. He's coming off back-to-back 400-yard seasons, scoring four touchdowns in 2025. Nailor has what most Steelers receivers outside of DK Metcalf lack: big-play ability. The Steelers are desperate for receivers, and Nailor could be precisely what they need.

One problem for Nailor in Pittsburgh is the team's likely draft plans. The Steelers are most certainly going to take a wide receiver in the first round. They already have Metcalf on the team, meaning Nailor would likely be a number-three option once again. However, the Steelers' advantage of hiring Angelichio would give Nailor a head start. Nailor and Angelichio have been together for the last four seasons. This will be Mike McCarthy's offense, but Angelichio will still have a voice. 

McCarthy runs a West Coast style offense. His offense typically uses three receivers, and Nailor would likely have a similar production to his Vikings days, but money talks. The Steelers, as previously mentioned, have the ninth most cap space in the NFL. They have only one free agent who would be considered a priority, but he is likely to walk. With that, the Steelers have money to spend, and an overpayment for Nailor is possible. 

Nailor's familiarity with the offensive scheme could also give him an advantage to be the team's number two option. They wouldn't have to rush a first-round pick to stardom. Nailor would be a reliable player for the Steelers' offense who can play his role effectively, and also would be a huge relief for Metcalf, whose production was hindered by the lack of talent in the offense. 

Steelers Should Overpay Nailor

Nailor has battled injuries throughout his career, as he only played six games in 2023. When Nailor played in place of Addison, he was very effective. Now Nailor can really show what he can do, not in the shadow of Jefferson and Addison. Nailor also had subpar quarterback performance, playing with the likes of JJ McCarthy and Carson Wentz. Aaron Rodgers is likely to come back to the Steelers and would be a huge upgrade over both of those quarterbacks. 

Nailor would have the opportunity to play with a Hall of Fame quarterback in a good system, and with the familiarity with Angelichio, Nailor may not be able to resist, but only time will tell. Nailor would instantly be the team's wide receiver two if signed. One thing about the Steelers is that they make rookies earn their spot, so Nailor would have a legitimate chance at being the secondary option.

What do you think? Would Nailor be a good signing? Would he choose to sign with the Steelers if presented the opportunity? Are there any other options out there youd like to see the Steelers go after? Let us know in the comments below.

#SteelerNation