Steelers Acknowledge Need for Improvement in Key Position Group Before NFL Free Agency.
Pittsburgh Steelers owner and president Art Rooney II spoke with the media on January 27, with additional comments continuing to surface on January 28.
Among his remarks, as reported by veteran beat reporter Mark Kaboly, Rooney offered candid assessments of the team’s wide receiver group.
Rooney acknowledged, “I think we have positions in the wide receiver room we’re going to have to address” and emphasized, “I think the wide receiver room is an area we’ve got to look at improving,” according to Kaboly.
The need for improvement in the Steelers’ receiving corps was apparent in 2024. While head coach Mike Tomlin often publicly supported the group, Pittsburgh was actively exploring trade options throughout the season, attempting to secure players like Brandon Aiyuk, Christian Kirk, and possibly even Cooper Kupp. Unfortunately, those efforts never materialized, and rookie Roman Wilson had little impact during his first year in the NFL.
Rooney’s recent comments all but confirm that the Steelers are likely to pursue one or two wide receivers, either through free agency or the draft.
Kaboly highlighted that Rooney typically conveys these messages in a reserved manner, yet the underlying point is clear. As Kaboly reminded, last year Rooney made headlines by putting former first-round pick Kenny Pickett on notice after a disappointing second season. Pickett was eventually traded within two months.
Could Rooney’s recent comments prompt a similar sense of urgency for improvement at wide receiver?
Steelers’ Art Rooney II Still Committed to George Pickens
In addition to the wide receiver discussion, Rooney was also asked about standout wideout George Pickens, who has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason. Kaboly relayed Rooney’s response:
“I think every team seems to have one or two guys in that room [where] you have to manage them correctly. I still think George [Pickens] has enough talent that we’ve got to try to work and see if we can get him to fulfill the talent that he really has. Who knows if we can get there? We’ll see. But when you have guys that are as talented as some of the guys you’re probably thinking of, you try to work with them and have them help you be successful.”
Pittsburgh has had mixed results in managing wide receivers with talent but behavioral concerns. While the Steelers have found success in some cases, such as with Antonio Brown, they’ve also parted ways with others, including Diontae Johnson in 2019.
For now, the Steelers seem inclined to give Pickens, who will turn 24 in April, another season to prove he’s deserving of a long-term extension.
Will Steelers Pursue Wide Receiver in Free Agency?
While the Steelers have traditionally drafted wide receivers in the second or third rounds, could they take a different approach in 2025?
Rooney spoke to Rob King on the Steelers Audio Network, saying the team is open to adding a free-agent wide receiver if the right player and situation arise.
“I think we always have to look at opportunities and if we can add somebody that’s going to make a difference for us, we’ve got to do that,” Rooney said. “We’ve never been averse to doing it, but you have to have sort of the right guy show up at the right time and the right place, and hopefully we’ll have some opportunities this coming spring.”
With over $40 million in cap space available for 2025, the Steelers have the flexibility to pursue free-agent talent, and they could create even more space by parting with a player or two.
