The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ wide receiver group has been under intense scrutiny this offseason, especially after the Steelers traded Diontae Johnson due to some perceived maturity issues and never adequately replaced the talent on the field, even with the pick of Roman Wilson in the 2024 NFL Draft. .
Although general manager Omar Khan, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and receivers coach Zach Azzanni have downplayed the need for WR2, praising the group as a whole and saying the pecking order doesn’t matter, on the outside concern continues to grow at the position .
For Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, that concern is so great that he believes a “big change” at the catcher position is imminent for the Black and Gold before the 2024 season.
“The surprise is that the Steelers seem perfectly content watching the WR2 position develop in camp among a host of middle receivers,” Kaboly writes for The Athletic in an offseason look at all 32 teams. “Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, Calvin Austin III, Scotty Miller, Denzel Mims, Marquez Callaway and Dez Fitzpatrick all have varying degrees of experience behind George Pickens. Whether they address the position before the season could depend on the play of rookie Roman Wilson.
“But the entire group has been disappointing enough that a big change seems imminent.”
The Steelers have the financial flexibility to potentially make a move at receiver, but Kaboly saying a big trade seems imminent seems pretty far-fetched.
Maybe they’ll make a great swing at catcher, maybe they won’t. On paper, the receiver room is a bit of a concern behind George Pickens, but the Steelers are certainly saying the right things regarding the receiver room.
Calvin Austin III has had a solid offseason and appears poised to take a major step forward, earning Azzanni’s praise in the process. Jefferson brings a lot of experience, both in Smith’s scheme and also in the NFL. He’s just 26 years old and had a 50-catch, 802-yard season with six touchdowns in 2021, helping the Los Angeles Rams win the Super Bowl.
Scotty Miller also brings a wealth of experience and could be that veteran that surprises many this offseason.
While it would be great to see the Steelers take a big swing at receiver and land one of those guys like Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, DK Metcalf or Courtland Sutton via trade, they seem happy with what they have at the position currently, especially after getting Roman. Wilson in the Draft.
Patience is a virtue and the Steelers are practicing that patience. It won’t be the end of the world if they don’t make that big change and get a proven product to play opposite Pickens. The confidence should be in the hands of Smith, who has had plenty of success in the NFL as a play-caller without a big No. 2 receiver behind his star.
Keynote USA
For the Latest Sports News, Follow Keynote USA Sports on Twitter.