The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to still have a desire to add another wide receiver to their roster this offseason. One veteran wideout that’s still on the free agent market is six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen.
Whether or not the Steelers are interested in Allen is unclear. However, that may be irrelevant anyway.
That’s because Allen was rather blunt that he’s not interested in playing for the Steelers.
“A-Rod being a quarterback, of course, that interests you,” Allen said in a previously live-streamed TikTok video from streamer JGoofy, via Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora. But Pittsburgh? No.”
Kozora wrote Wednesday that it’s not clear when the video was recorded but it presumably is less than a week old. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers agreed to sign with the Steelers on June 5.
It’s also not exactly clear if Allen was more turned off by the idea of playing for the Steelers or living and working in Pittsburgh. Based on how his comment reads, either could be a dealbreaker for the veteran wideout.
Allen made five consecutive Pro Bowls from 2017-21 with the Los Angeles Chargers. He spent 11 seasons with the franchise, amassing more than 10,000 receiving yards. Allen also had another Pro Bowl season in 2023.
Last season, Allen registered 70 catches but just 744 receiving yards. He averaged 10.6 yards per reception but also scored seven touchdowns with the Chicago Bears.
Allen was open to returning to Chicago this offseason. The Chargers traded Allen to the Bears last March.
But the veteran has yet to sign in Chicago or anywhere else this offseason.
WR Keenan Allen Leaves Open Possibility of Signing With Steelers
While Allen’s initial reaction to the potential of coming to Pittsburgh pretty much shut the door on a deal, the veteran receiver appeared to re-open it before ending the conversation about the hypothetical.
“But hey, you never know,” said Allen, via Kozora.
Allen seemed to answer himself why a player shouldn’t be so publicly adamant about not wanting to play for a certain team or city. One never knows what could happen, and being so open will only prevent a player from receiving an opportunity.
And yet, that’s exactly what Allen did before sort of walking back the comment.
Pundits have argued this offseason that Allen is a potential match for the Steelers because their offense needs a possession, chain-moving receiver. Pittsburgh acquired DK Metcalf and traded George Pickens, but it as a net-zero move from a style perspective. Metcalf and Pickens are both deep-threat, big-play receivers.
Not that they aren’t also great route runners. But Allen has been an excellent route runner, producing five 1,000-yard seasons in his career despite averaging 11.6 yards per catch.
Steelers WR Depth at NFL Minicamp
Metcalf is firmly at the top of Pittsburgh’s receiving depth chart. The team, including wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni, has expressed a lot of confidence in fourth-year receiver Calvin Austin III. He’s likely to start opposite Metcalf.
Veteran Robert Woods, who the Steelers added in free agency, could compete with Austin during training camp. Pittsburgh also has high expectations for 2024 third-rounder Roman Wilson, who missed most of his rookie season because of injuries.
Other than that, though, the Steelers receiver room is filled with other unproven options and players best suited for roles on special teams.
The other receivers on Pittsburgh’s offseason roster include Ben Skowronek, Scotty Miller, Lance McCutcheon, Brandon Johnson, Roc Taylor, Ke’Shawn Williams and Montana Lemonious-Craig.
Whether the Steelers pursue any other pass-catchers this summer likely depends on how they truly feel about Austin and Wilson. As the Pittsburgh receiving depth chart currently looks, those two have to be significant contributors in 2025.
