Steelers Sign Veteran Receiver After NFL Draft

For months, the Pittsburgh Steelers had been linked to a receiver, particularly early in the 2025 NFL Draft. The need to find receiver George Pickens was overwhelming.

Eventually, it was addressed when Pittsburgh made its biggest splash of the offseason. The Steelers traded a second-round pick for the right to extend star receiver DK Metcalf, diminishing the need to draft a weapon and giving Pickens a partner with even more gravity than himself.

Pittsburgh didn’t end up drafting a receiver, opting for quarterback Will Howard and running back Kaleb Johnson with its only offensive selections.

That left the bottom of the receiving corps unaddressed, a hole that was quickly filled on Monday.

According to Ian Rapoport, the Steelers signed a potential Metcalf complement in receiver Robert Woods. The deal is worth $2 million over one season as Woods looks to extend his respected NFL career.

Woods spent the 2024 season with the Houston Texans and posted his worst statistical season, logging just 20 catches for 203 yards. He did not find the end zone. It was the first season in which Woods didn’t score in his 12-year NFL career, and he posted 223 fewer yards than his next-least-productive season (2023) – despite receivers dropping like flies around him.

That’s a bit of a concern, but Woods won’t be asked to generate a hefty target share or score a half-dozen touchdowns. He isn’t likely to steal much of Calvin Austin’s playing time in the slot, either.

Woods can step in as the Z or slot receiver and offers an immediate path to playing time via his run blocking, which hasn’t waned with his production. In an Arthur Smith-led offense, that lends itself to playing time, particularly on early downs.

Woods is also a particularly quarterback-friendly target. He finds soft spots against zone well, has trustworthy hands, and his veteran acumen makes him a quick study. His experience doing the dirty work earned him a reputation with the Los Angeles Rams, where he was a key cog in their offensive machine.

He’ll have a much lesser role in Pittsburgh, but as a side character in an improving offense, Woods can find meaningful playing time in 2025.