Through his first five seasons, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson had the largest share of targets (8.1 a game) within an otherwise anemic Steelers' offense (averaging 20 points a game over that span). Despite such a heavy emphasis, Pittsburgh dealt Johnson to Carolina before free agency began, signaling, perhaps, the desire to feature young superstar George Pickens more prominently.
Or perhaps it was due to this abysmal effort.
Either way, Johnson's void leaves a hole in a Steelers offense that's already overhauled its quarterback room -- having traded former starter and first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett, and acquired Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
While the Steelers signed veteran Van Jefferson, previously with the Rams, and the draft approaching in April, it seems likely they're exploring other options. It's difficult to find a receiver who can earn 140 targets a season, like Johnson has, in free agency, but after nearly two weeks in free agency, the Steelers might have to dig deeper to find a way to make up for what they're lacking.
Free Agents
Tyler Boyd
The former Bengals playmaker (and Pittsburgh native) remains unsigned, and while the connection to his childhood home is obvious, Boyd appears to be the bigger-bodied target who could run underneath routes to help open up Pickens over the top, and put in work in the run game.
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Odell Beckham
While Beckham reportedly has a visit scheduled with the Dolphins, and a spotty-at-best injury history, a WR room that could use an experienced alpha resides in Pittsburgh. The veteran had 35 grabs for 565 yards in Baltimore last season, helping set up rookie phenom Zay Flowers to perhaps the best rookie receiving season in Ravens history. What that sort of role might be worth to the Steelers isn't fully clear.
Hunter Renfrow
The Steelers typically dig through the secondary free agency market over the summer for perceived value-add players in the post-draft world. This was true often of slot receivers during the Kevin Colbert Era, but general manager Omar Khan led a charge last season to acquire veteran Allen Robinson from the Rams. It wouldn't be a massive shock to see Khan look to add a veteran slot receiver, and Renfrow could be a good fit. While Josh McDaniels' offense in Las Vegas cut Renfrow production literally in half over the last two years, when healthy, he's able to work in short spaces and provide some utility within a new offense that will likely need time and experience to get moving.
Allen Robinson
Hard to avoid mentioning Robinson, who was never going to play for the $10 million he was owed in 2024. But his contributions (34 catches for 280 yards) within an offense that saw two different coordinators and three different quarterbacks should weigh a little more than they appear on a page. But they still don't weigh very much.
Trade targets
Brandon Aiyuk
Rumors of this trade have circulated during the early period of free agency, and, on the surface, such a move would make sense. Aiyuk is seeking a high-value deal and San Francisco doesn't appear to be in line to offer it to him. Pittsburgh has had one of the worst offenses in football, and that was with two talented receivers. Johnson's ouster leaves just one, and while both Aiyuk and Pickens have handled similar roles in terms of routes run, new Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith utilized multiple deep threats working the seam to the outside in the past.
Justin Jefferson
If the Steelers want to shoot for the moon, Jefferson would be the target -- but the conditions that would need to exist to make such a deal are enormous. Just not yet impossible. If the Vikings do not find it prudent to sign perhaps the league's best all-around receiver for a top-of-market contract, the best value they'll get for the fifth-year pro would be trading him now up to before the start of the draft. Jefferson has eye-popping numbers over four seasons -- 392 catches, 5,899 yards and 30 touchdowns. It would likely cost two day-1 picks and probably another two day-2 picks, but any team with Jefferson is better than they were without him.
