The Pittsburgh Steelers have been linked to a number of well-known players as possible successors for their former Pro Bowl player since they dealt Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers.
Tyler Boyd was the first name mentioned. Although he was up in Pennsylvania, attended Pitt for his collegiate education, and has shown an interest in joining the Steelers, he has long been the team’s division opponent.
There have been rumors of mutual interest between the team and the free agent, but it appears there are different views inside the company on signing him.
Mike Williams, a former receiver for the Chargers, has meetings set with three other clubs this week, so the Steelers will have competition for his services.
It appears that the Steelers may be working on a much larger moniker.
Speaking on the team’s interest in Williams, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac suggested that the team might be searching for a “bigger catch” at wide receiver during his appearance on the March 18 episode of “The Rich Eisen Show.”
Or bigger, that’s all I’ll tell you, Rich. We’ll see, though; that will be a different move on their part. As I mentioned before, it might not even be Mike Williams; rather, it might be a more substantial catch. Not to be ironic.
Needed Wide Receivers for the Steelers
The Steelers now have a fairly thin lineup at wide receiver.
After Johnson was traded, the only receivers who contributed substantial snaps to the team’s performance the previous season were George Pickens and Calvin Austin.
After surpassing 1000 yards for the first time last year, Pickens will be a key component of the attack in 2024, but Austin is still a work in progress.
Van Jefferson was not very effective for the Rams or the Falcons last season, despite his recent addition.
Their current situation has made them desperately require a WR2, if not a WR3.
It sounds like they might be pursuing a WR1 in place of Johnson right now.
Who Might That Be?
There aren’t many receivers on the roster who could be a bigger catch than Williams or Boyd.
One of Boyd’s former teammates is actually the biggest name that has asked to be traded this summer. After being franchise-tagged, Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins requested a trade, although there is very little likelihood that the team would deal him within the division.
Since the Bills’ season ended, Stefon Diggs has been the subject of numerous rumors, and a recent tweet reignited those rumors. Diggs had a difficult finish to the previous season, only reaching 50 yards in three of the final 10 games, which included postseason games.
For the Steelers, trading for him would undoubtedly be significant.
Brandon Aiyuk is the biggest celebrity that is the most relatable.
Aiyuk has emerged as the 49ers’ unquestionably best option among an outstanding bunch of pass catchers. In 2023, he topped the club in both receptions and yards gained with 75, and he tied the record with seven touchdown catches.
Aiyuk was included in the second team of All-Pros.
In Week 1, he also completely destroyed the Steelers’ defense with eight receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns.
The 49ers don’t want to part with him, but they have a costly roster and will soon have to pay Brock Purdy, so they will have to make some tough decisions.
Instead of waiting to see if they can afford to sign him to a long-term contract, they might choose to move him now, when his value is at its highest.
Perhaps there’s a surprising name out there that the team believes they can catch.
Adding a top receiver this summer would be a significant step toward the Steelers’ goal of being a contender, regardless of the chosen player.
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