Steelers Down to Two Options For Potential Receiver Depth

The Pittsburgh Steelers have confirmed who their second-option receiver is at the moment, but that may not stop the team from shopping for a more ideal running mate for DK Metcalf ahead of training camp.

Aside from the Steelers' new wideout, who was paid $150 million after his trade, the offensive options could still be slim with Calvin Austin at WR2.

Robert Woods and Roman Wilson joining Metcalf and Austin to round out the receiving corps probably requires a touch more depth to be competitive in the AFC North during this narrow window with 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.

Some "names" are still out there, but general manager Omar Khan has reportedly low-balled a lot of his offers. Or free agents have given the Steelers the cold shoulder, leading to no real action.

Veteran Keenan Allen already struck down rumors about him signing or wanting to play in Pittsburgh, so the Steelers will have to pivot.

Unfortunately, the free agency market is pretty dry everywhere else.

These two may be the Steelers' best options left before they're forced to stick with what they have:

Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints cannot be feeling very confident in their quarterback situation for 2025. With Derek Carr retiring, they're stuck with either Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, or Tyler Shough taking starting snaps - all players who have very little starting experience, let alone impressive ability shown in their minimal NFL action.

What the Saints do have is a stud wide receiver in Chris Olave.

At just 24 years old, New Orleans could get a lot of value for him in a trade if they decide the QB dilemma would be too much of a burden on his future development and success with the franchise.

For the Steelers, this move could make the most sense for the future of Pittsburgh's receiver room based on how it aligns with Metcalf's new contract.

Olave has two more years on his rookie contract, meaning he won't be due for an extension until the third year of Metcalf's time in Pittsburgh.

As FOX Sports suggests, "the Steelers could acquire Olave with the intention of signing him to a long-term contract down the road and letting Metcalf walk after his contract expires, choosing to just invest in the prime years of [Metcalf's] career," - i.e. when he's paired with his new buddy Rodgers (however long it lasts).

There are multiple hoops to jump through - with Olave's head injuries limiting him to only eight games played in 2024 and New Orleans even hearing this idea out in the first place - but adding Olave into the fold immediately makes Pittsburgh's aerial attack more dynamic and versatile with Olave's quickness in the short game pairing perfectly with Metcalf's deep ball dominance on the outside.

Amari Cooper, Free Agent

The second option isn't as flashy or promising for the future, but it's a safe - and probably cheap - investment for the immediate depth of the roster during Rodgers' one-year contract.

Amari Cooper is on the open market after a rough go with the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills last season that included a mid-season trade. Cooper has been a capable 1,000-yard receiver as recent as 2023 and is proven to be an excellent co-star within an offense ... but last season has left teams wary now that he's up for grabs.

Nobody is interested in his services if he hasn't been picked up by this point in the offseason ... until something changes at one's training camp. Pittsburgh may not have much competition if they want to make a move here.

The Steelers would need the best version of Cooper, but that is no guarantee now that he's almost 31 years old and joining what could be his third team in the span of a year and a half. His past accusations of low effort when things aren't going well could be a worrisome note, as well.

The bright side is that Cooper wouldn't do much damage to the cap on a one-year "prove-it" deal. 

Of course, these are all projections that are still hypothetical. According to wide receiver coach Zach Azzanni, the Steelers are planning to assemble the offense with the pass-catching weapons they currently have.

But a true "all-in" approach that best equips Rodgers for success at least this season

One more piece should be worth searching for.