As previously discussed, the starting quarterback position is a huge question mark heading into the offseason for Pittsburgh. However, the Steelers' front office also needs to make significant additions to their wide receiver room. Pittsburgh’s WR corps was one of the least productive in the league in 2025, and several of their go-to targets are set to his free agency. If Pittsburgh wants its future quarterback to have any sort of success, it’ll need to find more weapons for whoever’s throwing the ball.

DK Metcalf- Incumbent

The lone constant in Pittsburgh, Metcalf will return for year two in Pittsburgh as WR1. Although not as productive as he might have hoped in his first season, Metcalf is still a star, with gravity that forces defenses to account for him every time he runs a route. Nobody will benefit more from a revamped position group than the Ole Miss product, who will feast off of the opportunities a multidimensional passing attack creates for him.

Calvin Austin III- Incumbent hitting Free Agency

Calvin Austin exists in a grey area; the twitchy slot specialist makes an offense better, but he’s not quite good enough to be a true WR2 yet. There’s bound to be a lot of "pretty good" receivers on the market this year, so Austin’s value is up in the air- if he’s smart, he’ll wait for guys like Rashid Shaheed to set the market value before he agrees to any deal. If it’s a price the Steelers can afford, they should absolutely keep him around- he has the potential to go from good to great in the right system. Furthermore, he’s a certified Raven Killer, which still means something in this town.

Justin Jefferson- Trade

There’s been a lot of chatter (and by chatter, I mean Buffalo Bills fans raising hell online) about the possibility of Minnesota moving their superstar for a myriad of reasons. Some say that Minnesota needs the cap space to improve at other positions, while others question Jefferson’s patience with young quarterback JJ McCarthy. If there’s any weight to the rumors, Pittsburgh should at least make the call. Jefferson is one of the best pass catchers in football, with crisp route-running and magnetic hands that have earned him the rare “QB-proof” label — he’ll find a way to ball out regardless of who’s throwing the passes. The price might end up being way too high, but an otherworldly talent such as this one deserves a long look at the bare minimum. At the very least, try to drive up his price tag and see if you can get a conference rival to overpay.

AJ Brown- Trade, PHI

Another allegedly disgruntled star, AJ Brown, seems much more likely than Jefferson as a potential target for Pittsburgh. Brown gets a change of scenery without having to move too far while also reuniting with Metcalf, his former teammate at Ole Miss. Like Metcalf, Brown didn’t see as many targets as he’d expect this year, but his size and speed make him a potential superstar when given adequate touches. Pittsburgh gets its two-headed monster in the passing game, a tandem that few teams will have enough size in the secondary to properly contain. Add in the monstrous Darnell Washington at tight end, and opposing defenses are going to be miserable.

Alec Pierce- Free Agent, IND

As excited as we were to see Metcalf line up with George Pickens, the best wide receiver hitting free agency is never coming back. The consolation prize is Indianapolis breakout Alec Pierce. To borrow a phrase from the NBA, Pierce is the definition of ‘ethical hoops’, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark on just 47 receptions in 2025. His blazing top-end speed is paired with silky hands that can make even the tightest windows seem wide open. His efficiency means that Pierce can create opportunities for both himself and Metcalf without sinking into the latter’s target share too much. If he wants to bring a resurgent Daniel Jones with him, he’s more than welcome to join the party.

Keenan Allen- Free Agent, LAC

Old habits die hard. An aging former pro-bowler is hitting free agency? Get that man in black and gold. In all seriousness, Keenan Allen proved this season that he’s still got juice as the Chargers’ leader in receptions, so this wouldn’t be an unreasonable signing. Allen makes his money as a walking third-down conversion with a ridiculous catch radius and an elite football IQ. If Pittsburgh goes with a development project at QB, he’d do well to lean on a veteran like Allen in high-pressure situations.

Jordyn Tyson- Draft, Arizona State

Pittsburgh would have to trade up in the draft to even have a chance at landing the Arizona State prospect, but it might be worth it. The buzz around Tyson has died down since he missed some time in 2025 due to injuries, but make no mistake: Jordyn Tyson is a star. A protege of Steelers legend Hines Ward, Tyson has the versatility, competitive fire, and attention to detail of a prospect with unlimited potential. As it stands, he’s a ferocious route runner who has the body control to bring down every ball thrown his way. If the Steelers want a young superstar out of this draft at a position of need, they need to find a way to get Tyson to Pittsburgh.

Makai Lemon- Draft, USC

I’ve written about KC Concepcion already, so a word on Makai Lemon, who would also hypothetically be available around pick #20. Lemon is lightning quick, with ball-tracking skills that make him a major threat on deep routes. He’s got the toughness and the burst to make plays from the slot, and will likely be the ideal replacement if Pittsburgh moves on from Austin. Scouts across the league are high on Lemon's route running, and the Steelers have undoubtedly done their research on what looks to be one of the sharpest all-around prospects in this draft class.