New Steelers wide receiver underscores prevalent roster issue in his explanation on why he decided to sign with Pittsburgh
Despite what it looks like right now, a lot of free agents still have interest in joining the Pittsburgh Steelers. One of those players was veteran WR Robert Woods. But his reasoning wasn't only that he wanted to play for Mike Tomlin or put on the Black and Gold, but rather that he saw an […]
Despite what it looks like right now, a lot of free agents still have interest in joining the Pittsburgh Steelers.
One of those players was veteran WR Robert Woods.
But his reasoning wasn't only that he wanted to play for Mike Tomlin or put on the Black and Gold, but rather that he saw an opportunity…
Steelers WR room gives Robert Woods opportunity
“Obviously, coach Mike Tomlin is a great coach. I just wanted to play for him, but not only him, the colors, the team, the history, and then being able to have an opportunity to showcase my talent," Woods told Steelers media at OTAs. "The receiver room, I feel like it’s open, being able to come out here and compete and play well. We want to push this team to get better, myself to get better and felt it was just a great opportunity to come here and be on the field."
Mike Tomlin, for all the heat he gets, will always be a draw for free agents, as will the lore of the Steelers franchise. But if you're Robert Woods, even at this stage of his career, you have to look around that room and say, 'I can be the second-best option here, at worst third.'
And that's no at a shot at Calvin Austin III or Roman Wilson, but neither of them have experience in the WR #2 role, one that Woods has shined in during his career. Especially with Cooper Kupp and the Los Angeles Rams during their Super Bowl-winning season.
What it is an indictment on is the Steelers roster-building process. The fact that they traded away George Pickens with no one of similar value to replace him, or didn't use a draft pick on the position despite having a history of being the best WR drafting team in the league.
That's why Woods had a shot, that's why he decided to sign in Pittsburgh. And maybe it works out and he can recapture his magic from the Rams alongside Metcalf.
But until he proves capable, the WR corps will continue to be an issue.
