Pittsburg, PA

Pittsburgh might have all the wide receivers they need after all

Published

2 days ago

July 1, 2024

Pittsburgh might have all the wide receivers they need after all

If the NFL season started today, the most likely starting wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers opposite George Pickens is veteran Van Jefferson. Concerns over this is why every time the name Brandon Aiyuk or D.K. Metcalf comes up, Steelers fans get hopeful are making a big trade.

But it might not be that complicated. Looking over the offenses new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has been in charge of, the role of the No. 2 wide receiver might not be as vital as it could be on other teams.

This is especially true based on the rest of the Steelers skill players. Running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are both accomplished pass catchers out of the backfield.

The Steelers also have multiple pass-catching tight ends on the roster including Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward.

There’s no denying the sledding will be tough for Pickens at first as he adjusts to getting all the deep coverage his way. But with the Steelers run-first mentality and so many big, physical weapons, teams are not going to be able to commit extra defenders deep, which should let Pickens flourish in play action.

Jefferson is not a bad player at all. He’s got 113 receptions in four seasons and a career-high 50 in 2021 for 803 receiving yards. A season like that is more than sufficient for the Steelers in this new scheme.

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Pittsburg, PA

Steelers Uncertain of George Pickens?

Published

6 hours ago

July 3, 2024

Press Room

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are making headlines for their in-house wide receiver this time. Instead of talks about a potential trade for names like Brandon Aiyuk, DK Metcalf or Courtland Sutton, one team insider is discussing the future of George Pickens.

Coming into the offseason, the Steelers decided to trade Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers and replace him with a few options including Van Jefferson and Scotty Miller. They then drafted Roman Wilson, hoping he and Calvin Austin turned into a dynamic duo in the slot. But at no point did Pittsburgh replace Johnson well enough to add another WR1.

Instead, they’ll lean on Pickens. Entering his third season, Pickens has one 1,000-yard year under his belt and showed at times last year that he was capable of being the superstar his talent allowed. Now, he’s going to get a shot.

But the Steelers aren’t done looking. They’ve been linked to rumors for several players, especially Aiyuk, which has come with several questions. The biggest one is surrounding Aiyuk’s contract extension, and how Pittsburgh would possibly afford both he and Pickens, if they made a trade.

Well, one insider believes the team isn’t sold on extending Pickens.

Added to the list of topics is Cam Sutton, the Miami Dolphins and a league insider declining a Steelers trade.

With roster bubble predictions being made, Sutton remains a name to watch. Here’s the problem – he’s not. The Steelers don’t have anyone to truly challenge him, and the benefit of having Sutton around is too high to move on.

As for the Dolphins, one team writer is calling out the Steelers. There was no need to take a shot at Pittsburgh, especially this early in the year, but he did it. Now, the Steelers have bulletin board material.

And finally, an insider declining a trade. Sorry, but things are changing.