Steelers owner Art Rooney II admitted that the team will be looking to improve their receiver room this offseason after struggling to find consistency at the position in 2024 outside of George Pickens.
“I think we have positions in the wide receiver room we’re going to have to address,” said Rooney (via Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show).
Bringing in a high-profile wideout to take targets away from Pickens could cause tension with the mercurial 23-year-old, something Rooney addressed in his press conference.
“I think every team seems to have one or two guys in that room that you have to manage them correctly,” said Rooney. “I still think George 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.” Indeed, despite repeated incidents at Georgia and in Pittsburgh, Pickens has been the Steelers’ best receiver since he was drafted. Head coach Mike Tomlin is no stranger to getting the most out of intense personalities (Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell), which Rooney referenced as well.
“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,” he said, adding that the team has yet to work on an extension for Pickens.
Pickens is under contract for 2025, as is Calvin Austin, the team’s second-leading receiver, but Van Jefferson and Mike Williams are both set to hit free agency. Rooney’s comments indicate that he is planning to go in another direction, though he’s more focused on the Steelers’ future at quarterback.
“That’s priority No. 1,” said Rooney. “The quarterback position is a key piece of the puzzle that needs to be addressed.”
But the Steelers’ offseason resources – the 21st overall pick and more than $40MM in cap space, per OverTheCap – are better attuned to bolster their receiving corps. It’s unlikely one of the draft’s top quarterbacks falls to Pittsburgh, and none of the available veterans profile as high-upside options. The 2025 receiver class is far deeper in both the draft and free agency, forcing the Steelers into a tough offseason dilemma. They can improve their weapons on offense, but that may not be enough to break their playoff win drought without a better long-term quarterback.