Pittsburgh Steelers’ Next Move: 3 Wide Receivers to Target After Landing Aaron Rodgers
Updated: June 10, 2025, 2:18 p.m. ET
It may have taken months of speculation and negotiation, but the Pittsburgh Steelers have finally acquired quarterback Aaron Rodgers, ending a long-standing offseason saga. Rodgers, who brings a Hall of Fame résumé and unmatched football IQ, is expected to significantly elevate the Steelers’ offense, which had struggled to find consistency under Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in the 2024 season.
With Rodgers now under center, Pittsburgh hopes to maximize the remaining years of his illustrious career. The organization views him not just as an improvement over their previous quarterbacks but as someone who can inject confidence and precision into the passing game. However, Rodgers turns 41 this year, meaning the team must act with urgency if it wants to make a serious push for the playoffs — or beyond.
Major Roster Shifts: In and Out
The Steelers’ offensive depth chart has undergone a dramatic transformation. They lost feature back Najee Harris to free agency and made a major trade by sending their No. 1 wide receiver, George Pickens, to the Dallas Cowboys. However, they also added serious firepower. Most notably, they acquired two-time Pro Bowler DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks in a blockbuster trade, bolstering their receiving corps with a physically imposing and explosive pass-catcher.
In addition to Metcalf, Pittsburgh signed seasoned wideout Robert Woods to a short-term contract and used a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to select standout Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson. Other notable contributors still on the roster include dependable tight end Pat Freiermuth, versatile receiver Calvin Austin III, and tough, downhill runner Jaylen Warren.
Despite these additions, the team knows it must make the most of Rodgers’ remaining prime — and that means giving him a deep, well-rounded group of pass catchers. Even though Rodgers had a productive 2024 season with the New York Jets — throwing for nearly 3,900 yards and 28 touchdowns — Pittsburgh recognizes that to truly contend, especially in the ultra-competitive AFC North, it may need more weapons.
Fortunately, there are still intriguing wide receivers available via free agency or trade. Here are three candidates the Steelers could target to strengthen their receiving corps and enhance Rodgers’ chances of leading the team deep into the postseason.
1. Keenan Allen: Veteran Reliability and Route-Running Mastery
Keenan Allen may not be the superstar he once was, but his production remains solid, and his experience is invaluable. Last season with the Chicago Bears, Allen recorded 70 receptions for 744 yards and 7 touchdowns despite competing for targets with young standouts DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, all while catching passes from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
At 6-foot-2, Allen offers a big, dependable target, and when paired with the 6-foot-4 DK Metcalf, he could help form one of the more physically imposing receiving duos in the league. Known for his crisp route-running and high football IQ, Allen has consistently proven capable of being a top option in an offense. Just one year prior, in 2023, he caught 108 passes for 1,243 yards and seven scores with the Chargers — in only 13 games.
Approaching his 33rd birthday, Allen likely no longer sees himself as a long-term No. 1 receiver, but that could actually benefit the Steelers. He would not need to be the focal point in Pittsburgh, especially with Metcalf in town. That context makes a one-year, incentive-laden deal — perhaps in the range of $10 million — mutually beneficial. Allen gets a shot at postseason success alongside a future Hall of Fame quarterback, while Pittsburgh gains a seasoned, sure-handed veteran to solidify the passing game.
The fit feels natural. Allen would likely relish the chance to chase a Super Bowl with Rodgers while acting as a trusted short-to-intermediate option when plays break down or protection collapses. If healthy, Allen is the kind of player who can make a difference in big games.
2. Amari Cooper: A Proven Playmaker with Playoff Pedigree
Another name that should be on Pittsburgh’s radar is Amari Cooper. Though his 2024 campaign was split between the Cleveland Browns and the Buffalo Bills, Cooper continues to prove he’s a consistent and dynamic option. After starting the year in Cleveland, he was dealt to Buffalo after six games. His usage was relatively limited with the Bills — only 40 targets across 11 games including the playoffs — but he still displayed flashes of his usual self.
Just one season earlier, Cooper posted a career-best 1,250 receiving yards with Cleveland, earning a Pro Bowl selection and reaffirming his place among the league’s elite route runners. It marked the fourth time in five years he surpassed 1,100 receiving yards. That kind of consistency and explosiveness would give Rodgers another polished, experienced weapon.
At just 31 years old, Cooper still has productive seasons left. Adding him to a group that already includes Metcalf, Woods, and Austin III could give the Steelers one of the deepest and most reliable wide receiver rooms in the conference. It would also allow the team to absorb potential injuries without dramatically dropping in offensive efficiency.
Strategically, Cooper’s presence would also help balance the offense. While Metcalf thrives on vertical routes and contested catches, Cooper brings nuance and separation skills to the table. Together, they could give Rodgers the flexibility to attack defenses at multiple levels of the field.
And given his status as a free agent, Pittsburgh might not need to overpay. Cooper has played for playoff-caliber teams in the past and likely wants to join a legitimate contender once again. A short-term deal could work for both parties.
3. Chris Olave: The Long-Term Splash Move
Unlike Allen and Cooper, Chris Olave is not a free agent. However, he’s potentially available via trade, and for the Steelers, he might represent the kind of bold move that could take the offense from good to great. Under contract for two more years with the New Orleans Saints, Olave’s name has surfaced in trade rumors, especially in light of the Saints’ underwhelming 5-12 season and the retirement of quarterback Derek Carr.
Olave only played in eight games last year due to a head injury, but his talent remains unquestioned. Even with the limited action, Pro Football Focus ranked him 15th among wide receivers with an 82.4 overall grade. Over his first two seasons (2022 and 2023), Olave averaged 80 catches, 1,083 yards, and five touchdowns per season — very strong numbers for a young receiver.
He is known for his speed, route-running, and ability to stretch defenses vertically, making him an ideal partner for Metcalf. Acquiring him would not only give Rodgers another elite option right now but would also provide Pittsburgh with a future centerpiece at wide receiver.
Financially, a trade for Olave would be easier to justify than it might appear. While the Steelers already gave Metcalf a hefty extension — $150 million — Olave is still on his rookie contract. If they acquired Olave this year, they wouldn’t need to negotiate a long-term extension until 2027, which is when Metcalf’s deal could expire. The Steelers could choose to ride out Metcalf’s prime and then transition to Olave as their next No. 1 wideout.
Of course, New Orleans would require meaningful compensation to move on from Olave. Pittsburgh already used its 2025 second-round pick in the Metcalf trade, but it still holds future draft capital, including a third-rounder acquired from Dallas in the Pickens deal. Packaging a 2026 second-round pick with a mid-round sweetener might be enough to bring Olave to Pittsburgh.
For a team clearly in win-now mode, such a move would send a strong signal to the rest of the league: the Steelers are all-in on Rodgers and aiming to contend immediately.
Final Thoughts: Time Is Now for Pittsburgh
The AFC North remains a tough division. The Baltimore Ravens, led by Lamar Jackson, likely still hold the edge, but the Steelers are not far behind — especially if they get 2024-level production from Rodgers. To close that gap and possibly leapfrog their rivals, adding one more elite wide receiver could be the key.
Whether it’s the savvy veteran presence of Keenan Allen, the consistency and route-running of Amari Cooper, or the youthful explosion of Chris Olave, the Steelers have viable options. Each receiver brings a different skill set, but all three could help maximize the team’s narrow window of contention with Rodgers at the helm.
Given the investments already made in acquiring Rodgers and Metcalf, now is not the time for half-measures. If the Steelers truly believe they can win a championship in the next year or two, adding one more top-tier pass-catcher is a logical and necessary step.
The foundation is there. Now it’s about finishing the job.
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