The Pittsburgh Steelers sold wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers this summer, sparking NFL rumors of a trade for Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel. However, it looks that prospects for a mega-deal will not result in a significant increase.
Pittsburgh is well positioned to make a move. According to OverTheCap.com, there is currently $18 million in cap space available and more than $90 million by 2025, providing ample draft capital and financial flexibility to add a playmaker. Furthermore, a depth chart headlined by George Pickens, Roman Wilson, and Van Jefferson shows the Steelers’ need for another pass-catcher.
However, as Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated pointed out in his weekly column, it appears unlikely that the Steelers would make a play for a high-profile wide receiver anytime soon.
“It has never been Pittsburgh’s style to accomplish anything like that in that particular position. Trading Johnson is unlikely to have a significant impact on this situation.The Steelers’ leading receiver wasn’t a homegrown player since 1941, the year the United States entered World War II. And over the years, Pittsburgh has been able to replace players like Plaxico Burress, Wallace, Sanders, and Brown who have departed the franchise.
In many aspects, it resembles the Green Bay Packers’ mindset. When it came to replacing Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams, Green Bay used their draft-and-develop policy to locate new stars.
This is not to say that the Steelers do not make moves; they enhanced their secondary a few years ago by exchanging a first-round choice for Minkah Fitzpatrick. However, this is a business that believes in internal replacements and allowing starters to develop within their system. As a result, trade for Samuel, AIyul, or any other well-known wide receiver appears doubtful.
Pittsburgh Steelers coaches are questioning Justin Fields’ kick return duty.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback depth chart currently features Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, after opening with Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky a year ago.
Wilson is currently the Steelers’ main quarterback, and Fields could be the future in Pittsburgh, but what role will he play in 2024?
The Steelers are expected to have Fields as Wilson’s backup quarterback, ready to step in as soon as his number is called. However, internally, Pittsburgh’s coaching staff may be looking for other ways to deploy its newest playmaker, even if it means having Fields play special teams as a kick returner.
Not a joke. According to Steelers running back Jaylen Warren, Pittsbugh’s coaches have already considered giving Fields the opportunity to handle kick returns.
“I would, and I think it’s very cool—as soon as you touch the ball, everything begins happening. Our special teams coordinator mentioned Justin Fields being back there. We glanced at him, thinking, Will Justin Fields be back there? “I think it is cool.”
While most teams would never consider letting their highly prized quarterback experiment with kick return duties, Fields is not your typical athlete. We’re talking about a player that has already proven to be an explosive open-field runner, with over 1,000 yards on the ground in 2022. Say what you want about his passing talents, but Fields is a proven weapon when the ball is in his hands.
That being said, we don’t expect the former Ohio State standout to play on special teams. Even as a backup, he is too vital to the Steelers to risk serious damage on a kick return. Not to mention, the Steelers signed Cordarrelle Patterson this offseason, and with nine special teams scores, he’s one of the best kick returners in NFL history.
