Steelers Fans Given Warning: 'Wouldn't Just Plan On' A New Wide Receiver Being Added Before 2024 Training Camp

It seemed like the Pittsburgh Steelers had some master plan for the wide receiver position after trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. The organization was nearly a lock to select a wideout in the 2024 NFL Draft, which ended up happening in the third round when Roman Wilson fell to the 84th overall pick. Other than that, however, General Manager Omar Khan hasn't completed any big trade to pair a proven pass-catcher with George Pickens. It has fans wondering if any moves are coming, or if the team is simply happy with what the current make-up of the room looks like.

It almost seems asinine to have Pickens as the top wideout with not much else behind him. The expectations are high for Wilson, but Calvin Austin III, Quez Watkins and Van Jefferson don't exactly seem like a group that would intimidate opposing defenses, especially if doubling Pickens is a rather simple task without too many reinforcements behind him.

Unfortunately for anyone expecting some kind of move at the position prior to training camp in Latrobe, team insider for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Gerry Dulac, is advising that fans shouldn't hold their breath. During one of his weekly chats on Tuesday, he was asked about the prospect of someone else joining the room prior to training camp.

"You never know. But I wouldn't just plan on it," Dulac wrote.

That may seem disappointing, but there could be a reasoning behind the mindset; two actually. Austin and Jefferson are perceived in a completely different light within the Steelers' building. After missing his first season due to injury, Austin was subpar in 2023, but the team may feel as if he has a lot of potential. Jefferson is just 27 years old and does have an 802-yard, six-touchdown season to his credit. Additionally, Pat Freiermuth does indeed still exist.

That might not be an attractive outcome, but if the plan is to run the ball 30 or more times a game, Austin, Jefferson and Wilson could be just fine when the play-action is working well. In 2019, when the Tennessee Titans' offense was run by Arthur Smith, the only dominant wide receiver was AJ Brown. In fact, he barely eclipsed 1,000 yards on the season.

While Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren might not be Derrick Henry (who ran for over 1,500 yards in 2019), they will effectively be able to move the ball as long as the line stays healthy and Smith sticks to his approach. The same was the case for Tennessee in 2020 when Henry ran for over 2,000 yards and Brown remained the only pass-catcher with over 1,000 yards on the team.

The fact of the matter is that the Steelers seem to have a clear idea of what the offense is going to look like in 2024. Harris and Warren are going to be used more often than not. As long as the two bell cows run like they have shown they can, a Smith-led offense doesn't need a plethora of talent in the receiving core. When one thinks about it, the premise of not going crazy at the wideout position might actually make sense.

Steelers Going Up Early Will Be Key In New Smith Offense

The approach could work in more games than not, but it will become an issue if Pittsburgh is letting teams take early leads. This will make running the ball less likely and take away the threat of the play-action. Relying on this receiving core down two or more scores could be detrimental if it doesn't change. Never say never, but as Dulac mentioned, don't plan on it. The Steelers wide receivers room may be pretty solidified.