The Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver room had excited the fan base with the thought of DK Metcalf and George Pickens.
Sadly for Steelers fans, Pittsburgh made the stunning decision to trade Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, deciding that the headaches surrounding his attitude and maturity were no longer worth the talent he brought on the field.
While the move shocked Steeler Nation, it left the offense in a new position. Now, all eyes are on Aaron Rodgers and Metcalf to form a lethal duo, but questions remain about the depth behind them and whether Pittsburgh has enough reliable playmakers to balance the passing attack.
Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson will be tasked with stepping into larger roles in 2025, but their consistency will be tested against elite AFC defenses.
Austin has flashed big-play ability, yet durability and reliability have been concerns. Wilson, meanwhile, has impressed in early practices with his speed and precise route running, but as a “redshirt” second-year player, expectations must be tempered.
Pittsburgh has long relied on developing homegrown wideouts, but with the team’s Super Bowl window tied to Rodgers’ short tenure, the urgency to add proven production is greater than ever.
That’s why many Steelers insiders believe General Manager Omar Khan may not be finished building this roster. On social media, Steelers media personality Chris Mueller revealed that Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce could be available. He believes he actually is available already, which could be a huge win for Khan and the Steelers.
“Indy’s Alec Pierce is evidently available,” Mueller shared to his social media following on Thursday. “I’m absolutely picking up the phone if I’m Omar Khan. Led NFL in YPC last year. Very similar skill set to Pickens. Big downfield threat. I think could turn into a good WR2 long-term.”
At just 25 years old, Pierce is an intriguing target with size, athleticism, and untapped potential. Mueller has urged Khan and the Steelers to pick up the phone and call the Colts, noting that Pierce could immediately bolster depth and give Rodgers another trustworthy option.
With preseason battles heating up and the AFC loaded with firepower, the idea of adding Pierce to a Metcalf-led receiver room is something that would certainly energize Steelers fans once again.
Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce celebrates after scoring a big time touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The idea of Khan pulling off a trade to land Pierce is certainly an exciting thought for the Steelers’ fan base. He’s not yet a household name in the NFL, but over his three seasons in the league, Pierce has shown impressive downfield ability and the skill to stretch defenses. While he is certainly nowhere near as talented as Pickens was overall, he does bring a similar vertical presence that forces opponents to respect the deep ball.
Steelers Seriously Should Try And Land Alec Pierce
Pierce is coming off a 2024 season where he caught 37 passes for 824 receiving yards and scored seven touchdowns. What stands out the most from that campaign is his remarkable 22.3 yards per catch, a figure that highlights just how dangerous he can be when stretching the field.
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Colts’ wide receiver Alec Pierce goes up to make a catch against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Over his three seasons in the league, Pierce has managed to average 17.6 yards per catch, consistently ranking among the league’s best deep threats. Statistically speaking, he is very similar to Pickens in that regard, making him an intriguing replacement candidate who could give the Steelers the kind of explosive element they lost when they dealt away their young star receiver.
