Reporter believes Steelers' biggest need heading into 2024 season is: 'Overblown a little bit'
No matter which way you slice it, the biggest unknown on the Pittsburgh Steelers' projected roster is what the WR room looks like beyond George Pickens. The trade rumors and free-agent speculation have quieted down, and Pittsburgh may have to employ TE Pat Freiermuth as the team's second-best weapon. But according to Brian Batko of […]
No matter which way you slice it, the biggest unknown on the Pittsburgh Steelers' projected roster is what the WR room looks like beyond George Pickens.
The trade rumors and free-agent speculation have quieted down, and Pittsburgh may have to employ TE Pat Freiermuth as the team's second-best weapon.
But according to Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the WR need is overblown. Here's why that's wrong.
No need for another WR?
"I think it's [WR situation] been overblown a little bit because of the run-first philosophy that they're gonna operate with under Arthur Smith as the offensive coordinator," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writer Brian Batko said Tuesday on 93.7 The Fan. "The personnel, the way they're set up and built at this moment tells you they're gonna lean into handing the ball off a lot to Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren…
"When they do throw, I think there's something to be said for clearly defining and carving out the role for George Pickens as, 'You are our number one guy," he said. "We're gonna throw it to you even when you're not open. And we trust you to still make the play."
I see Batko's point here, but the issue is, that no matter how efficient the rush offense is, Pittsburgh will be forced into obvious passing situations. When that happens, if you have only one viable option on the perimeter…Good luck.
Teams will force George Pickens to beat double teams and dare Van Jefferson, Roman Wilson, and Calvin Austin III to beat them on the opposite side, probably against man coverage.
And if you think Pittsburgh wasn't concerned about that very situation, then we wouldn't have all the credible reporting about them targeting a WR via trade, especially ones that wear a San Francisco 49ers uniform.
And maybe Pat Freiermuth is the Steelers' number two answer the way some around the team believe he can be. But that's a lot to put on a TE who has yet to have a 1000 receiving-yard season.
So we'll see which way things go, but the Steelers don't have a lot of options at this point. Yes Brandon Aiyuk has yet to sign an extension, and sure there are a few free agents of intrigue out there, but it feels like what you see, is what you get when it comes to the WR corps.
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