It’s no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers have a significant need at the wide receiver position behind DK Metcalf entering the 2026 season. Questions remain under center at quarterback regarding Aaron Rodgers’ future under first-year head coach Mike McCarthy, but without a legitimate No. 2 wide receiver, it might not matter who is the quarterback next season.
Free agency is one path the Steelers can address the position, not to mention the 2026 NFL Draft, particularly in the first two days.
For ESPN’s Bill Barnwell on the latest episode of his podcast, there is one name on the market at receiver that is the best fit for the Steelers, and it’s a guy Pittsburgh was tied to leading up to the trade deadline last season. That would be Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed.
“This was a trade I thought made sense during the season. Think it made more sense than the Seahawks and obviously worked out really well for them in the big picture. But they [Steelers] don’t have a second wide receiver,” Barnwell said of Shaheed. “We saw MVS [Marquez Valdes-Scantling] play that role for them as the year went on. Roman Wilson has been really disappointing. I just think whether they bring back Aaron Rodgers or not, whether it’s someone else, in the big picture, I think adding a return man and adding some speed that can stretch teams downfield for an offense that we know — if they bring back Aaron Rodgers, it’s gonna be short stuff, it’s gonna be things in very tight windows all underneath.
“I think having a receiver who can actually scare teams over the top, even if he’s just running wind sprints, I feel like would make a big difference for Pittsburgh.”
The Steelers were interested in Shaheed last season leading up to the trade deadline, reportedly having some talks with the New Orleans Saints for the home run threat as a receiver and a return man. Ultimately, Shaheed was traded to the Seattle Seahawks, going on to win a Super Bowl with Seattle.
He was a significant weapon in the downfield passing attack, and even had a kick return for a touchdown in the playoffs.
Shaheed had 59 receptions for 687 yards and two touchdowns last season between New Orleans and Seattle, and added another three receptions for 78 yards in the playoffs. Those might not be eye-popping numbers, but he’s a legitimate downfield threat that can take the top off of any defense, and would open things up underneath for the likes of DK Metcalf, Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington.
But based on how the Steelers played offense last season with Rodgers under center, it might not be the best fit. That’s why ESPN’s Seth Walder offered up another name on Barnwell’s show, that of New York Giants wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson.
“I also went receiver for Pittsburgh, but kind of the other end of the spectrum. I went with Wan’Dale Robinson. So I was thinking, yeah, of those short throws from Aaron Rodgers, but I think that Robinson could probably give him some quick, easier wins,” Walder said Robinson. “He’s coming up a really nice year. I know some of this has to do with who else was running for the Giants, but 30% target share in games played, 2.1 yards per route run.
“I think that Robinson could be a nice little add for Pittsburgh and he could fill that number two role quite nicely.”
Robinson had a breakout year for the Giants, finishing with 92 receptions for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns. Time and time again he was the receiver the Giants turned to when needing a big play, especially after star receiver Malik Nabers went down early in the year with a knee injury.
Robinson averaged just 7.2 yards per target, but that could fit into Pittsburgh’s quick passing attack if Rodgers comes back, giving them a guy that can create after the catch after winning on short, quick routes, something they didn’t have consistently at the receiver position opposite Metcalf.
The Steelers enter the offseason with just under $40 million in cap space, so it could be another busy free agency period under GM Omar Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl. Hopefully the Steelers land a veteran receiver to put opposite Metcalf for McCarthy to work with.
One of the two names that Barnwell and Walder offered up makes sense.
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