Two big-named wide receivers have been floated as possible targets for the Pittsburgh Steelers following the George Pickens blockbuster trade.
On Monday, the Steelers traded the star wideout and a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for 2026 third and 2027 fifth-round picks. Pickens is entering the final year of his rookie contract and can become a free agent next March.
The Steelers completed a massive deal for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf in March, then signed him to a four-year extension worth $132 million. Metcalf may be an upgrade over Pickens, but the Steelers’ WR depth is thin beyond the two-time Pro Bowler.
Jacob Camenker of USA Today examined possible targets for the Steelers to replace George Pickens. Camenker mentioned five-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper and Aaron Rodgers’ former teammate, Allen Lazard, as potential options:
“Cooper is one of the biggest names still available on the free-agent market. The 10-year veteran is a five-time Pro Bowler, though he is coming off one of his worst-ever seasons in 2024. He posted 44 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns across 14 games with the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns….Perhaps coming to Pittsburgh and playing with Metcalf could revive the 30-year-old’s career and give the Steelers a strong No. 2 receiver…
The Steelers have been tied extensively to Aaron Rodgers as the veteran quarterback mulls his NFL future. Perhaps adding one of the veteran quarterback’s favorite weapons will help convince him that Pittsburgh is the right spot for him.
Lazard (6-5, 227 pounds) is a big-bodied receiver who has posted modest numbers as a downfield, contested catch receiver. He would be an ideal replacement for Pickens and provide the Steelers with great size and physicality in the slot.”
The Steelers continue to await word from Aaron Rodgers, whose two options at this point are Pittsburgh or retirement. The Jets catered to Rodgers by bringing in a plethora of his ex-Green Bay Packer teammates, so it shouldn’t surprise anybody if the Steelers decide to reunite the pair once again.
Steelers Have Time To Find George Pickens’ Replacement
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The regular season is still four months away, so Pittsburgh has lots of time to find a capable replacement for Pickens to serve as the No. 2 receiver behind Metcalf. Of course, GM Omar Khan may be waiting to get an answer from Rodgers before deciding on his next move at receiver.
If Rodgers chooses Pittsburgh, you can bet there will be a push for the Steelers to bring in Lazard. But if the likes of Cooper and Keenan Allen are still available at the right price in free agency, the Steelers should absolutely look to add one of them as well.
