Steelers To Cut Veteran Receiver In ‘Bit Of Surprise’ With Deadline Approaching

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had some tough decisions to make.

Pittsburgh — like the rest of the National Football League — has to get its roster down to 53 players by the deadline on Tuesday afternoon. There isn’t much time left and the Steelers have plenty of tough decisions to make. The Steelers have been busy already making cuts, though, and released veteran receiver Quez Watkins on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

“Steelers are releasing (wide receiver) Quez Watkins, per source,” Fowler said. “A bit of a surprise given Pittsburgh’s depth issues at receiver.”

Watkins is entering his fifth season in the National Football League and was selected in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He spent the first four seasons of his career with the Eagles and was a serviceable depth receiver. He had 647 receiving yards in 2021 on 43 receptions to go along with one touchdown.

He didn’t have as much success over the last two seasons and combined for under 500 receiving yards in 26 games played. Watkins joined the Steelers on a one-year deal in April for the 2024 campaign but now will be on the open market looking for a new opportunity.

It wouldn’t be shocking to see him find a new deal quickly with many teams looking for receiving help. The Steelers have been in the mix for receiving help themself as they have been linked to San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk. There will be more moves on the horizon soon.

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