Steelers Could Steal Super Bowl Winning WR For A Great Price

The Pittsburgh Steelers may have made a mistake sending wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys via trade ahead of the 2025 NFL season. It seemed like Pittsburgh’s offense was about to be lethal, with Pickens on one side and DK Metcalf on the other. However, former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and General Manager Omar Khan decided to move on from Pickens because they did not see him as part of their long-term plans. Pickens went to Dallas and quickly became one of the NFL’s most dynamic receivers, while the Steelers’ wide receiver room continues to struggle to find consistent playmakers.

Now, with talks about Calvin Austin III’s potential departure in free agency and Metcalf underperforming in 2025, questions are growing about the team’s strategy at the position. Steelers fans and analysts alike are wondering what route Head Coach Mike McCarthy will take to improve the receiving corps. The need for explosive talent has never been clearer, and many believe Pittsburgh will look to draft a high-upside playmaker early in the 2026 NFL Draft.

CBS NFL insider Ryan Wilson recently revealed a new name that is now linked to the Steelers: Super Bowl-winning wide receiver Rashid Shaheed. Known for his speed and big-play ability, Shaheed could provide the kind of instant impact the Steelers desperately need. With McCarthy leading the team, Pittsburgh may not just rely on the draft. Veteran additions like Shaheed could transform a struggling wide receiver room into one capable of keeping the offense competitive.

"Yeah, he [Rashid Shaheed] is an under the radar guy for me," Wilson said while speaking on Monday. "We know about the big names, but guys that you can maybe get at a bargain to help your football team. We know the Seahawks traded for Shaheed at the trade deadline, and he paid immediate dividends. He's not gonna be a wide receiver one, he's gonna be a wide receiver two or three. And he adds something to the return game and he wins down the field consistently on deep routes, and you saw that come together once he arrived in Seattle. I think he makes a lot of sense for teams that need speed."

Shaheed was traded to Seattle at the trade deadline in the 2025 season, and the move certainly paid off. 

While he did not put up earth-shattering numbers in the Seahawks’ offense, his speed and impact were undeniable in helping the team become Super Bowl champions.

"Some names that come to mind, for not $30 million a year... The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs are two other teams that could be in the market for speedy wide receivers to help diversify their wide receiver room. I think there's gonna be a real market for him," Wilson said. "The only question is: does Seattle want to give some of that $75 million salary cap space to bring him back and keep that wide receiver room in tact with [Jaxon Smith-Njigba] and Cooper Kupp?"

Steelers' Wide Receiver Room In Need Of Help

In terms of price, Spotrac expects the speedy wide receiver to sign a three-year, $42,380,592 deal as a free agent, which works out to roughly $14.1 million per year. If Pittsburgh’s new regime views that as good value, expect them to make a push for Shaheed in the offseason. 

Of course, there will be competition for him because of the value he brings as a return specialist. He is definitely a name to watch amid the speculation surrounding Austin’s future and the ongoing lack of depth in the Steelers’ wide receiver room.

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