GREAT: Pittsburgh Steelers Projected Trade Would Reunite Russell Wilson With Former Elite Wide Receiver.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a big need to fill at wide receiver.
The team traded Dionte Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, and with Russell Wilson now confirmed as the team’s starting quarterback in 2024, it will be vital to surround him with as many weapons as possible to set the offense up for success.
While the Steelers have signed Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins since dealing away Johnson, the two wideouts combined for only 351 receiving yards in 2023.
Aside from George Pickens, the Pittsburgh Steelers do not have a wide receiver contracted for 2024 who had more than 209 receiving yards last season.
There were rumors that Pittsburgh’s brass was in talks to perhaps sign Bengals free agent Tyler Boyd, but current reports indicate that talks between the two sides broke down.
Still, according to one NFL Insider, the Steelers are still looking to acquire a dynamic wideout in free agency.
On the April 9 episode of the “In the Huddle” podcast, Audacy’s Jason La Canfora stated that the Steelers are “really trying to make something happen” at wide receiver.
“For me, there’s one piece of information we don’t know yet: do they trade for a wide receiver before the draft?” It would not surprise me if they did it tomorrow or on Wednesday before the draft. If they did it while on the clock, or in the lead-up to the draft on Thursday, I know they’re genuinely trying to make something happen there.”
Brandon Aiyuk is the most prominent name mentioned as a trade candidate this offseason, and he is the most likely option if the Steelers want to make a significant move at the position.
But one recent trade idea is plausible given the clever reasoning behind it: get an elite player who is comfortable with their new franchise quarterback without suffering a significant blow to the salary cap.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ projected trade reunites Russell Wilson with Tyler Lockett.
There may be a key reason the Steelers are waiting to make a move to add a premier wide receiver in free agency.
Steelers Now’s Alan Saunders argued that the team could now be waiting on a potential post-June 1 trade to make their big-time receiver addition. If that’s the case, Saunders argued Seattle Seahawks wideout Tyler Lockett is a possible target.
Tyler Lockett played seven seasons in Seattle with new Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson.
“Lockett just restructured his deal with the Seahawks this offseason, which would make a pre-June 1 trade costly to Seattle,” Saunders stated in an email. “If they dealt Lockett today, the Seahawks would pay a $27.8 million dead cap charge and lose an extra $8.9 million in cap space on top of what is scheduled to cost.
“However, if they waited until after June 1, a Lockett trade would only result in a $13.9 million dead cap hit this season, saving Seattle $5 million in cap space in 2024. Lockett would be an excellent value for the Pittsburgh Steelers, with a guaranteed salary of $4.67 million and roster bonuses of $340,000.
From 2019-22, Lockett posted four consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Three of those campaigns were with Wilson as his quarterback.
Why Tyler Lockett Is The Perfect Fit For The Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers’ familiarity with Wilson cannot be understated, as they hope the former Seahawks and Broncos quarterback can return to form.
Many experts see the Steelers as a natural option for veteran receiver Tyler Boyd. Another common offseason speculation is that Pittsburgh will trade for star wideout Brandon Aiyuk.
But Lockett might be an even better fit for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He’s been a possession receiver and a strong playmaker throughout his career. Lockett is more likely to be the former at this stage in his career. He turns 32 in September.
Tyler Lockett has been an ideal receiver for the Seahawks to team with DK Metcalf, another incredibly agile big play receiver. Lockett’s job would be quite similar to Pickens’.
Of course, Lockett’s previous familiarity with Wilson would be extremely beneficial to the Pittsburgh attack.
Even if the Pittsburgh Steelers choose a receiver, Lockett is likely to slot in as the No. 2 option. Pickens is the only wideout on the Steelers’ roster who had more than 209 receiving yards last season.
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