Steelers predicted to sign $100 million former Pro Bowl playmaker

Calvin Austin III, Van Jefferson, and Mike Williams all had glimpses of excellent play in 2024, but none are capable of being consistent playmakers on a productive offense

General manager Omar Khan must find Pickens a formidable running mate if Pittsburgh wants to take their passing attack to the next level in 2025. Though Khan could address the position of need through the draft, Pro Football Focus’ Mason Cameron believes the Steelers are the top free agency landing spot for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper.

“The 30-year-old Cooper will have his fair share of suitors on the open market, likely teams looking to add quality veteran leadership to their receiver room, Cameron wrote. “What better place to provide that presence than a team with a history of animated receivers like Pittsburgh?”

“The Steelers were actively shopping for receiving help at the trade deadline, with reports linking them to several options, including the former Brown. Pairing the even-keeled Cooper with George Pickens would be a prudent move to calm the Steelers’ receiver room and split defensive attention,” Cameron added.

Cooper was traded to the Bills from the Cleveland Browns during the 2024 trade deadline and has had an underwhelming season in Buffalo. The veteran has tallied just 20 receptions for 297 yards and two touchdowns in eight regular games with the Bills and had just 547 yards during the entire regular season.

Though Cooper has had a disappointing 2024, the 30-year-old is still a savvy route runner who would be a fantastic addition to Pittsburgh’s wide receiver room. Cooper posted a career-high 1,250 yards in 2023 with the Browns and has notched seven 1,000-yard campaigns in his 10-season career.

Pro Football Focus projects Cooper will land a two-year deal worth $35 million with $25 million guaranteed on the free agency market. That averages out to $17.5 million per year.

The Steelers are set to have around $40 million in

Amari Cooper isn’t an elite player, but the five-time Pro Bowler is still a solid wide receiver who would be a tremendous security blanket and veteran presence in the Steelers’ lackluster receiver group.

 

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are at a crossroads this offseason. The team once again made the playoffs in 2024 but, as has been common lately, the team’s playoff run was short-lived. Now, the team enters the offseason with a middle-of-the-road draft pick and a middle-of-the-road amount of cap space.

Additionally, both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are headed for free agency, so the team needs to figure out the quarterback position. It’s safe to say the Steelers have a decent floor, but what can the team do to raise its ceiling?

Jaren Kawada of Clutch Points suggests the Steelers trade for Deebo Samuel, the star wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers. Samuel has been the center of trade rumors before, and 2025 is the final season of his contract.

Even if the 49ers are not looking to move him, Samuel could very well force his way out. Once known as the engine of the San Francisco offense, he will potentially enter 2025 as the fourth or fifth option in the passing game. Jauan Jennings’ fourth-year emergence and rookie Ricky Pearsall continued development could easily surpass him in the pecking order. Samuel is just three years removed from requesting a trade before signing a pricey extension.

Regardless of the concerns, Samuel is still one of the league’s most diverse and dynamic receivers when healthy. The Steelers desperately need help at wideout. Nobody knows what will happen with George Pickens in the 2025 NFL offseason, but even if he returns to Pittsburgh for another year, he has never had stable help to truly elevate the passing game.

Entering 2025, Samuel will have one year left on his current contract, a $15 million cap hit. The price will be high, but it may be one that could finally elevate the Steelers’ offense past its current vanilla form.

Regarding the Samuel fit in Pittsburgh, Kawada offered the following:

In 2024, Samuel caught 51 passes for 670 yards and three touchdowns. It was a down year for Samuel, who struggled with drops and overall inconsistent play.

But that stat line still would’ve been better than any wide receiver on the Steelers’ roster, save for George Pickens, so Samuel would be an upgrade for Pittsburgh.

Samuel was a Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro in 2021. The versatile athlete who can line up anywhere on the field contributes in the run game, as well, with the veteran posting 1,143 rushing yards and 51 rushing scores in his career.

Samuel will carry a cap hit of just under $16 million in 2025. The wide receiver will be a free agent after the 2025 campaign, so the asking price shouldn’t be as high as it would have been last offseason.

Securing Samuel would give the Steelers another dynamic option for the offense going forward, which will be a huge help to whoever is under center.