The Pittsburgh Steelers have trimmed their roster down to the initial 53-man lineup as Tuesday's deadline arrived. While there were some surprising and tough decisions, most moves were expected. However, this doesn’t mark the final roster, as the Steelers will likely scour the waiver wire and consider players released by other teams. On Wednesday, starting at noon ET, the Steelers will begin assembling their practice squad.
A closer look at the Steelers’ wide receiver group reveals something interesting. Pittsburgh typically keeps six wide receivers on their 53-man roster, but this time, they’ve kept only five: George Pickens, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Van Jefferson, and Scotty Miller. Both Quez Watkins and Dez Fitzpatrick were released on Tuesday, a move that surprised many Steelers fans who expected one of them to round out the receiving corps.
Given the concerns surrounding the wide receiver position, it’s intriguing that the Steelers have chosen to keep just five receivers this season. This decision hints at the possibility of a significant move on the horizon. With many wide receivers now available after being released by other teams, the Steelers could be looking to add a sixth wide receiver soon.
On Monday, it was reported that the Steelers had reached out to the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos about a possible trade for John Metchie III and Tim Patrick. While neither would be considered a game-changing addition, both would bring some excitement to the team. Patrick was released by the Broncos on Tuesday, so now the Steelers wouldn't even have to trade for him. They could just pick him up off the waivers if they wanted him.
Meanwhile, the New York Giants released wide receiver Miles Boykin, sparking speculation that the Steelers might be interested in bringing him back to Pittsburgh. Although Boykin isn’t a star receiver and wouldn’t be seen as a significant upgrade, he could address the team’s need for a gunner on special teams.
Steelers Still Have A Chance To Trade For 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk
The most exciting prospect, however, is San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The Steelers have reportedly been close to a deal with the 49ers on a couple of occasions, but have yet to finalize a trade. Adding Aiyuk would dramatically reshape the Steelers' wide receiver room, potentially creating one of the league's top duos in Pickens and Aiyuk.
The Aiyuk saga has grown tiresome for fans, but there’s still hope that he might land in the Steel City. Reports suggest that Aiyuk is interested in the contract the Steelers have offered him, and he’s even hinted at wanting to play in Pittsburgh if he doesn’t stay in San Francisco. However, the 49ers have not been satisfied with Omar Khan's offer so far. The fact that the Steelers kept only five wide receivers could be a sign that a trade for Aiyuk is still in play.
Alternatively, it could simply mean that the Steelers weren’t confident in Fitzpatrick or Watkins and are looking to bring in someone else. There are plenty of players available, but few who would make a significant impact.
The Steelers' issue at wide receiver isn’t depth; they have that. The problem is that after Pickens, no one really strikes fear into opposing secondaries. Steeler Nation will be watching closely as more roster moves are made. The decision to keep just five wide receivers instead of six suggests that the Steelers will be adding another receiver, but who that player will be remains a mystery.
