If fans are consistently reading about the Pittsburgh Steelers as the NFL's new league year gets set to begin, the chances are that the topics of conversation have been about the quarterback and wide receiver positions. The team needs to figure out a way to solve the holes in these areas rather quickly, and the pass-catcher spot provides even more uncertainty with many believing that Aaron Rodgers will return for one more season. DK Metcalf is pretty much all the offense has from a wide receiver standpoint, with Roman Wilson continuing to be a major mystery as he plans to enter his third campaign after a troubling start to his career.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson (10) stands on the field as he walks next to teammates while going through stretching during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Regardless of what the internal options may be, it is pretty much a foregone conclusion that the Steelers will target a wideout (or two) in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, free agency comes first. The front office could look to take some of the pressure off of itself come the first round in late April, which is why fans are paying attention to a couple of names that will be available to sign when the legal tampering period begins on Monday.
Mike Evans has consistently been brought up as someone who could make sense, depending on Pittsburgh's expectation for the quarterback spot. A veteran like Rodgers would work phenomenally with Evans. With that said, the playmaker may look to land in on a team that has a little more stability, and more of an opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl in 2026.
Speaking of the Lombardi Trophy, Steelers reporter Jenna Harner mentioned Seattle Seahawks wideout and return man Rashid Shaheed on a recent episode of The Yinziders. Her co-host, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, gave a pretty clear description of what a perfect wide receiving corps in the Steel City would look like if the speedster does end up coming to town.
"The way I would look at it is DK would be your number one. Then, maybe you draft a guy who's like clearly number two and then Rashid Shaheed is like, number three and return [man]," DeFabo said. "Then you have Roman fighting for his position within there. I think that — Rashid Shaheed would make sense to me in that role as well."
Shaheed may not blend in immediately as the second option behind Metcalf, but he would be viewed as an electrifying third wideout on the depth chart. If Pittsburgh decides to invest in a first-round pass-catcher, pairing that individual with both Metcalf and Shaheed suddenly makes the room look a whole lot more formidable than it has been in recent seasons.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) alongside former Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith as the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
The mystery will continue to be Wilson. The expectation is that he will finally find a way to contribute with a new coaching staff, but he has had almost two years to form into a respectable NFL wide receiver. His rookie season was riddled with injuries, and he didn't get much of a chance in 2025, as veteran pass-catchers seemed to be the preference for Rodgers and former Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith.
Pittsburgh has plenty of avenues to take regarding the wide receiver position. It's clear that the organization knows it needs to fix the issue, and DeFabo laid out a very respectable plan for the top four guys. Including Ben Skowronek and one other veteran would round out the group and make it finally capable of doing some consistent damage.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek walks on the field as the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Need To Give Rodgers Every Weapon Possible
Pittsburgh found a way to win the AFC North and 10 games in 2025. The collective even was victorious in Week 18 when Metcalf was sidelined due to a suspension. If Rodgers comes back for one more shot at a postseason run, having the necessary weapons to improve in 2026 will be essential. If the wide receiving corps is actually consistent and formidable, the Steelers might just have a chance to surprise folks around the league and win 10 or 11 games.
#SteelerNation