The Pittsburgh Steelers are most of the way through the first part of the offseasonleading up to the draft. Before we get there, we’re going totake stock of how the roster has evolved over the past several weeks. Position by position, we’ll break down who’s coming and going and what’s next for those rookies and those already here.
Position: Wide Receiver
Total Positional Figure: 8
Offseason Additions: 4
Offseason Deletions: 2
Players Retained:
DK Metcalf: The Steelers gave up a second-round pick for the big-bodied wide receiver but are hoping to get more out of him. To that end, they have added a better pairing for him, via yet another trade, this offseason. In Mike McCarthy’s offense, he should certainly be a 1,000-yard player.
Roman Wilson: The wide receiver with the greatest seniority remaining on the Steelers’ roster is Roman Wilson. They drafted him in 2024, after which they signed Ben Skowronek and traded for DK Metcalf. Thus far, he has underperformed, but there’s a new coaching staff in town, one that’s handing out blank slates.
Ben Skowronek: The Steelers use Skowronek less as a wide receiver than as a special teamer. In fact, he made the Pro Bowl as the latter last year, and that may be his new niche. Offensively, when or if he does play, it’s more as a blocker.
John Rhys Plumlee: A former quarterback, the Steelers list John Rhys Plumlee as a wide receiver. He spent most of the second half of last season bouncing on and off their practice squad. Realistically, he has little chance of making the 53-man roster, though special teams is one possible avenue.
Players Added:
Michael Pittman Jr.: The Steelers saw an opportunity to add a starting wide receiver and they pounced. Pittman brings instant credibility, but he’s more of a high-floor than high-ceiling guy. He should serve as a strong complementary starter with the hopes of finding a new No. 2 in the draft.
Cole Burgess: The Steelers did not re-sign any of their practice squad wide receivers, replacing all of them. Cole Burgess is one of the new faces, a 6-1 former college free agent who has yet to make his NFL debut after two seasons on the Bengals’ practice squad.
A.T. Perry: Another of the Steelers’ post-coaching change wide receiver Reserve/Future signings is Perry. He has made 10 appearances in NFL games, so that’s at least a change of pace. All 10 came back in 2023 with the Saints. The 6-5 receiver has 12 career catches for 246 yards and 4 touchdowns. But he hasn’t played in a game for the past two seasons.
Brandon Smith: Completing a trifecta of new Steelers reserve wide receivers is Brandon Smith. He has logged three games over the past two seasons with the Jet, totaling nine offensive snaps with no targets. Also 6-1, he is already 27 years old.
Players Deleted:
Calvin Austin III: A former Steelers draft pick, they let the wide receiver walk in free agency this offseason. He didn’t sign for a great deal, at least guaranteed, most of the max value coming in incentives. While he had some moments—including the game-winning touchdown last year that sent them to the playoffs—the new staff felt comfortable moving on.
Scotty Miller: Miller has been a hanger-on in the Steelers’ wide receiver room for two years. Connected to previous OC Arthur Smith, he remains unsigned as of this writing.
Adam Thielen: The Steelers claimed Thielen off waivers late during the 2025 season and moved him into the starting lineup, but the former Pro Bowl wide receiver has already retired.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling: Potential Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers had a long history with Valdes-Scantling as a wide receiver in Green Bay. You wouldn’t have known it based on their on-field rapport last season, however. Like Miller, he remains comfortably unsigned this offseason.
Notes And Draft Outlook:
Adding Michael Pittman was a big move for the Steelers at wide receiver, but it’s just the beginning. Everybody expects them to add at least one more major piece, potentially a first-round draft pick. There is a good chance they draft two wide receivers, maybe even three, currently holding 12 draft picks.
In terms of veterans, unless Rodgers really pushes for one, the Steelers are likely content with what they already have at wide receiver. Metcalf and Pittman make a strong starting combination, at least on paper. The question then becomes how much Roman Wilson can contribute unless or until a rookie takes over.
Related Items:A.T. Perry, Adam Thielen, Ben Skowronek, Brandon Smith, Calvin Austin III, Cole Burgess, DK Metcalf, John Rhys Plumlee, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Michael Pittman Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller
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