Steelers named logical landing spot for 5-time Pro Bowler who could replace George Pickens

Yahoo

20-07-2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to replace George Pickens.
Sure, the Steelers traded for DK Metcalf earlier this offseason, but the team had a need at wide receiver before that move.
The trade for Jonnu Smith definitely helps Pittsburgh's lackluster group of pass-catchers, but the wide receivers room remains shaky, at best.
Roman Wilson, Robert Woods and Calvin Austin are all in line for significant roles, yet Wilson is unproven, Woods is on the down side of his career, and Austin has just one season of decent production (548 yards in 2024).
Adding a veteran in free agency would be the move this team needs.
As far as which veteran they should go after, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox suggests Amari Cooper.
"Cooper would be a sensible target for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are going all-in on the 2025 season with quarterback Aaron Rodgers," Knox explained. "Pittsburgh acquired wideout DK Metcalf early in the offseason but also traded receiver George Pickens after the draft."
Cooper is coming off a down season in 2024, which has led to fears about a possible decline as he enters a season in which he's 31 years old.
However, in the year prior, Cooper posted a career-high 1,250 yards, so he isn't that far removed from great production.
So, what happened in 2024 that led to Cooper tallying a career-low 547 yards?
In his defense, he did have bad quarterback play while with the Cleveland Browns, who had a struggling Deshaun Watson as their starter for all six games Cooper appeared in with the Browns.
Then, Cooper had to acclimate to a new offense after being traded to the Buffalo Bills. He also suffered a wrist injury in Week 8 that needed surgery, but Cooper declined to get it, according to general manager Brandon Beane.
With the Steelers clearly going for it in 2025, they should bring Cooper in to give their offense, which was the weakest link in 2024, a better chance to succeed.
Even if he is a bit diminished, he'd still offer an upgrade for Pittsburgh and would be a perfect fit opposite Metcalf on the outside. That would also put less pressure on Austin and Wilson and would alleviate the need to depend on Woods.
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