The Pittsburgh Steelers do not have the deepest group of wide receivers, and one report suggests they could try to add another big-name player in the coming weeks. A 41-year-old version of Aaron Rodgers is good enough to guide a Mike Tomlin team to the playoffs, but they’ll need more firepower to offset Rodgers’ natural decline in physical ability. The team acquired D.K. Metcalf earlier in the offseason, but he’s their only proven option following the George Pickens trade.
With the quarterback position officially addressed, Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show reports the Pittsburgh Steelers are “actively making calls” to teams that may be looking to trade wide receivers. It’s easy to see why, as the underwhelming trio of Robert Woods, Calvin Austin, and Scotty Miller are currently battling for the WR2 job opposite Metcalf. Even with tight end Pat Freiermuth helping out in the passing game, this aerial attack must find more life.
While Kaboly’s report does not give specifics on which players might be dealt, we can make a few educated guesses.
Report: Steelers “Actively Making Calls” For Available Wide Receivers
Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
Chris Olave says he’s not looking for a trade, and the New Orleans Saints are not actively shopping the wide receiver. However, where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and the rebuilding Saints could easily trade their former first-round pick for the right offer. Olave is one of the game’s better young playmakers when healthy, but has struggled to stay on the field over the past few seasons. Concussions are one of the most serious injuries a player can endure, and he might make more sense for a team with a short-term window like the Steelers, rather than a rebuilding Saints club.
Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots
Kendrick Bourne may not be a superstar, but he could make a positive impact on the Steelers wide receivers. The New England Patriots don’t have a (healthy) player as good as D.K. Metcalf, but they have a small army of adequate role players in Demario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, and third-round pick Kyle Williams. This could make Bourne the odd man out, and he could help a team like Pittsburgh finally get over the hump and win their first playoff game since the 2016 season.
Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers
Much like the Patriots, the Carolina Panthers have a series of talented yet unproven young playmakers in first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders. There could be too many mouths to feed if these players develop as anticipated, which could make Adam Thielen somewhat expendable. The aging Thielen is likely in the last season of his career and would probably prefer to play on a team with realistic odds of a deep playoff run.
Main Photo: Philip J. Pavely – Imagn Images
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