Steelers expected to pay $70M for WR with two 1,000-yard seasons appeared first on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
It’s no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers need help at wide receiver.
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This has been an issue the past two seasons as the Steelers failed to get enough help for George Pickens in 2024 and then for DK Metcalf in 2025.
The result is that Pittsburgh has one of the worst wide receiver rooms in the league during this stretch, and general manager Omar Khan simply doesn’t allow that to continue.
The Steelers should be aggressive in free agency and the draft to address this issue, but getting a trade done is another option, and Elton Osterley of USA Today has a strong suggestion.
Osterley predicts the Steelers will complete a trade with the Indianapolis Colts to acquire wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who has one year left on his $70 million contract.
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Here’s what Osterley had to say about the Steelers pursuing Pittman:
For Pittsburgh, the offense could use more weapons on the outside in addition to DK Metcalf. A vertical threat due to his speed, Pittman will bring another physical skill set to the offense. The Steelers have 12 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, with five projected in the 3rd and 4th rounds. If the Steelers are willing to take on the majority of his salary, Indianapolis could get one of the picks back in a deal that would be valuable to both teams.
This trade makes complete sense for both teams.
Pittman is a veteran target who could provide a great complement to Metcalf.
Pittman, who has posted two 1,000-yard seasons in his career, is a potent weapon in short and medium areas of the field and, at 6-foot-4, an asset near the goal line.
The Colts find themselves in a bind this offseason as the team clearly wants to get Alec Pierce back, but with Pittman’s significant contract already on the books, it may be difficult to give him what he wants.
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Unloading Pittman in the trade would free up as much as $24 million in cap space for the Colts, which they could then turn around and use to acquire Pierce. Indy would also avoid letting Pittman hit free agency next offseason.
Pittman being in a contract year has two benefits for the Steelers: It will make him cheaper in a trade, and if Pittman underperforms, Pittsburgh can completely wipe Pittman off their books in 2027.
Sure, the Steelers would likely give up a pick to rent him for a year, but Pittsburgh also has a 2026 pick, so the team can afford it.
This deal is too significant not to happen. If the price is right, Khan and the Steelers should absolutely pull the trigger.
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