The Steelers are one of several teams which have been connected to a Davante Adams acquisition. The Raiders All-Professional desires to be dealt to the Jets, nonetheless, whereas different suitors such because the Saints (with quarterback Derek Carr and receivers coach Keith Williams) signify further engaging locations.
Even when Pittsburgh doesn’t wind up including Adams over the approaching weeks, although, the staff might nonetheless be available in the market for a wideout. ESPN’s Dan Graziano expects the Steelers to be a contender (albeit likely an outside one as issues stand) for the six-time Professional Bowler by way of pursuing a commerce settlement. Different veterans may very well be on the staff’s radar because the commerce deadline approaches, although.
Graziano names DeAndre Hopkins and Christian Kirk as wideouts who may very well be on the transfer over the approaching weeks. The Titans and Jaguars have mixed to win just one recreation in 2024 and each groups may very well be sellers within the build-up to the Nov. 5 deadline. Sitting at 3-1 on the 12 months, against this, the Steelers may very well be available in the market for a veteran pass-catching addition if they will proceed their sturdy begin. Bringing in an completed receiver would additionally match given how Pittsburgh’s offseason performed out.
Whereas replacing the entire quarterbacks room was the central factor of how the spring performed out for the Steelers, the staff traded away Diontae Johnson and launched Allen Robinson. That left a emptiness for a beginning spot reverse George Pickens and the staff made a sustained push to accumulate Brandon Aiyuk. The 49ers standout vetoed the agreement Pittsburgh and San Francisco made to finalize a commerce, finally remaining within the Bay Space. Since then, questions have loomed in regards to the Steelers’ secondary WR choices.
The likes of Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, Scotty Miller and third-round rookie Roman Wilson have dealt with depth WR roles thus far. With Justin Fields main the best way, Pittsburgh has primarily relied on the bottom recreation whereas rating simply twentieth in passing yardage. Including an completed receiver might add to the staff’s offense, though funds would in fact have to be considered.
Hopkins is a pending free agent as his present pact contains three void years. The 32-year-old is connected to a wage of $8.27M, so an buying staff would tackle a prorated portion of that determine. Hopkins had a robust debut marketing campaign in Tennessee (1,057 yards, seven touchdowns), though his utilization has taken a downturn early in 2024. The previous Texan and Cardinal may very well be moved if he have been to stay wholesome, particularly given Tennessee’s long-term funding in Calvin Ridley this previous offseason.
A teammate of Ridley’s in Jacksonville, Kirk delivered on his eyebrow-raising contract in 2022. The previous second-rounder noticed his manufacturing take a step again final season, although, one during which he was restricted to 12 contests. Kirk, 27, had a gradual begin to the present marketing campaign however has totaled 15 receptions over the previous two video games. He’s owed the rest of his $14.5M wage in 2024; one 12 months stays on his pact past that, but it surely doesn’t embrace ensures and carries a cap hit of over $24M. An adjustment upon arrival or within the spring would thus be required for an buying staff to decide to a Kirk commerce.
With roughly $10.5M in cap area, the Steelers sit mid-pack by way of monetary flexibility in the intervening time. A transfer geared toward including a veteran receiver may very well be possible (particularly later within the 12 months, because the remaining wage on gamers’ offers lower), however will probably be attention-grabbing to see if basic supervisor Omar Khan considerably modifications the staff’s roster if Pittsburgh continues to seek out success with the present offensive setup.
