Pittsburgh's decision to trade George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys left the Pittsburgh Steelers appearing thinner at receiver.
The timing was unfortunate, too. After spending a full season (or longer) yearning for a proper receiver to line up opposite Pickens, Steelers fans finally saw their wish come true when they acquired DK Metcalf in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks. Nearly two months later, the Steelers split the pairing of Metcalf and Pickens, sending Pickens to Dallas and returning their fanbase to a familiar place of uncertainty.
Fear not, Yinzers, Cam Heyward believes the trade will pay off for the Steelers.
"Was I surprised? Yeah," Heyward said on the of Not Just Football with Cam Heyward. "But you know, the game is the game, and I know it benefits both teams. We get another third-round pick, they get a wide receiver to go along with CeeDee Lamb. Would I've liked to see George and D.K. play together? Yeah, but hopefully there's something in the works."
As soon as Metcalf landed in Pittsburgh, it seemed as if Pickens' days with the Steelers might be numbered. Pickens is entering the final year of his contract, and while he's unquestionably talented, he caused enough headaches with his mercurial nature to suggest the Steelers might not be too interested in signing him to an extension.
With one cheap year left on his deal, the Steelers knew they could only recoup a return if they dealt him before the start of the 2025 season.
Now, they're again tasked with determining if this is the best receiving corps they can assemble.
Metcalf headlines the group, while Calvin Austin III enters 2025 after posting his best season (36 catches, 548 yards, four touchdowns) of his young career in 2024. Robert Woods hopped on board shortly after the 2025 draft concluded, bringing 12 years of 国产外流网experience to Pittsburgh with the hope he can play a part in a contender's pursuit of a title after fading into the background in Houston over the past two seasons. Roman Wilson, a 2024 third-round pick out of Michigan, has had an entire offseason to get healthy and back on track after an ankle injury hampered his acclimation to the pro game last season.
"I'm not going to go out and start making these extravagant thoughts of 'Oh, we're gonna trade for this,' " Heyward said. "I think you have to look at the players we do have around. You got Calvin Austin, and I think he's gonna take a step forward. I think the ball should be going through (tight end) Pat (Freiermuth) a little bit more. And then also, you're looking for a guy like Roman Wilson to really take a big step. So, it's not like we don't have a number one receiver still with D.K.
"So that's gonna play a factor. But we'll see what happens. A lot's happened this offseason. I know everybody made a big stink about what the Steelers are gonna do, but there's been a lot of turnover there."
The turnover hasn't quite stopped. Pittsburgh continues to wait on Aaron Rodgers' decision on whether he'll play in 2025, and if he'll do so for the Steelers. Justin Fields and Russell Wilson both left in free agency for the two clubs in New York. Running back Najee Harris moved west, joining the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Steelers replaced him with Iowa rookie Kaleb Johnson.
The retooling of the roster was necessary after the Steelers limped to the finish line in 2024. Whether it is effective remains to be seen.
Heyward believes it will be.
"This is a PSA for all Steeler fans: Don't panic, stay patient, we'll get to work," he said. "I think sometimes we can jump off the ship and think the ship is sinking. We got work to do. And, you know, whoever won the offseason isn't gonna win the regular season, is not gonna win the Super Bowl."
