It was expected that the Pittsburgh Steelers will restructure their offense after finishing 28th in scoring the previous campaign. In addition to replacing Matt Canada with Arthur Smith, a former NFL head coach, the Steelers cut all of their 2023 quarterbacks and started Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
So the issue is resolved, right? Not precisely.
The Steelers continue to have considerable uncertainty at the receiver position in addition to the offensive line. Although George Pickens is undoubtedly the offense’s top target, most of the rest is up in the air.
In addition to Van Jefferson, a number of additions have been made, such the third-round selection of Roman Wilson of Michigan, but others, like Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, still don’t think Pittsburgh has their No. 2 receiver on the roster.Even now, Kaboly seems to be hinting that before the 2024 season begins, Steelers general manager Omar Khan should add a “legit” secondary weapon. But who’s really free? Here are five ways the Steelers might resolve the situation.
Though he can still be acquired through trade, Allen Lazard is no longer a “legit No. 2 WR,” in my opinion. After Aaron Rodgers’ injury with the Jets last season, Lazard lost favor with the team and ended up finishing with just 311 yards and a touchdown despite being benched towards the end. It was a far cry from only two years prior, in 2022, when he had a career-high 788 yards and a respectable six touchdowns, leading the Green Bay Packers in targets.
Lazard, who stands six feet five and weighs 227 pounds, might be the ideal addition to the Steelers’ receiving corps if they’re looking to add size. Due to Lazard’s $12 million salary cap hit this season, the Jets may have to absorb a substantial chunk of his pay in order to let him go. However, Pittsburgh would be the perfect destination for him because they would only need to give up, at most, a late-round pick. However, there are probably better players out there.
If there is mutual interest, Michael Thomas, the only free agent on this list, could be signed today. Although the two-time All-Pro seems to be a shell of his former self, he might simply benefit from a move. Thomas has demonstrated that he is capable of being much better after posting 448 yards and one score in seven starts (10 games) in the previous season. However, since setting the record-breaking season in 2019, when he totaled 149 receptions and 1,725 yards, he hasn’t been able to produce.
However, he might find new life in a new system led by Russell Wilson, a former Super Bowl winner, and Pittsburgh might benefit greatly from his seasoned background.
Although Tyler Lockett doesn’t appear to be open for trade, the Pittsburgh Steelers are the team he would most likely be most interested in joining given the presence of Russell Wilson, his former quarterback.
Lockett is still waiting for his first NFL Championship after the Seahawks won the Super Bowl in 2013. He was drafted two years later, so joining Mike Tomlin’s team in Pittsburgh could be a lifeline for him. There are only two years left on Lockett’s contract. Last season, Seattle selected Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the first round of the draft. The 31-year-old Lockett might be available at the right price because they also have D.K. Metcalf.
Until Brandon Aiyuk either signs a contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers or becomes a free agent at the end of the season, trade rumors involving him will persist. Since Aiyuk is still unsigned, the Steelers might make an alluring offer that Aiyuk can’t turn down.
The addition of one of the NFL’s top route runners to what would become an extremely powerful receiving corps when combined with George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth would occur if the Steelers were able to sign the second-team All-Pro.Deebo Samuel, who is committed through at least 2025, puts the 49ers in a similar situation, albeit one that makes a trade today much less likely. San Francisco may not want to part with Samuel before it’s absolutely necessary, even though they did draft Ricky Pearsall in the first round as a possible long-term starter.However, as Samuel is the oldest receiver of the three at 28, he is most likely to be selected if they have to choose between Aiyuk, Pearsall, and Samuel. The Steelers, however, don’t give a damn about Samuel’s age or the fact that he’ll beg for a new deal; instead, they’ll integrate him into Arthur Smith’s offense and capitalize on his capacity to gain yardage after the catch. Additionally, they can use him as an asset in their running game, which will make Pittsburgh’s “offensive weapon” come to life.
