The Pittsburgh Steelers have made big moves to strengthen their Super Bowl aspirations this season. One position remains a potential problem spot despite a marquee acquisition.
ESPN asked each AFC North writer to identify a starting job beyond quarterback that poses the “biggest question mark” for the team they cover. Steelers reporter Brooke Pryor chose WR2 for Pittsburgh, challenging the spot’s depth behind DK Metcalf.
“The Steelers briefly had a strong wide receiver tandem in the month and a half between acquiring DK Metcalf and trading George Pickens. With Pickens’ departure for Dallas, the Steelers once again have a question mark at the No. 2 wide receiver spot with few internal options to fill the role,” Pryor wrote.
“At minicamp, wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni said fourth-year receiver Calvin Austin III is the team’s WR2. While Austin averaged 15.2 yards per catch last season, just below Pickens’ 15.3 YPC, he still averaged only 32.2 yards per game with four receiving touchdowns. The Steelers brought in veteran Robert Woods on a one-year deal, but they could also look at signing another free agent like Keenan Allen or acquiring more help via trade.”
Pickens led Pittsburgh in receiving each of the last two seasons before getting sent to the Dallas Cowboys. The Steelers may have upgraded by acquiring Metcalf, who tallied 6,324 receiving yards in six seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, but Aaron Rodgers doesn’t have any standout ancillary wideouts.
Story continues below advertisement
Austin caught 36 of 58 targets for 548 yards last season, exceeding 65 receiving yards in just two games. Although formerly a 1,000-yard receiver, Woods registered 203 yards in 15 games for the Houston Texans last year.
Scotty Miller, Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek are among those who could battle for more meaningful reps this summer. Rodgers could otherwise lean heavily on Metcalf and his tight ends, as the Steelers landed Jonnu Smith alongside star cornerback Jalen Ramsey following a solid 2024 campaign from Pat Freiermuth.
More NFL: How J.J. Watt Reacted To T.J. Watt’s New Contract With Steelers
Featured image via Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images