The full focus of the Pittsburgh Steelers is on the 2024 playoff run, but analysts around the league have also begun looking to 2025.
Assuming the Steelers extend quarterback Russell Wilson — as multiple reporters covering the team expect they will — the next step will be to arm the veteran signal-caller with more pass-catchers than he currently has to work with.
On December 10, Bleacher Report analyst Alex Kay implored Pittsburgh to swing for the fences, suggesting they make a serious “run at” Cincinnati Bengals rival playmaker Tee Higgins in 2025 free agency.
“The Steelers have been heavily linked to veteran receivers in trade rumors this season,” Kay reminded, adding: “While Pittsburgh ultimately had to settle for a deadline-day move to acquire Mike Williams after various attempts to acquire Brandon Aiyuk, Davante Adams and Christian Kirk all fell through, the team still projects to be a major player in the free-agent market.”
“Higgins could be the player this Steelers passing attack has sorely needed in recent years,” the NFL writer continued. “The team ranks a meager 23rd in passing right now and hasn’t finished better than No. 15 in that category since the 2018 campaign. While there’s upside with George Pickens out wide and Russell Wilson under center, No. 2 wideout Calvin Austin III has just 42 catches for 387 yards in 13 contests this season—a far cry from the 581 yards on 45 catches Higgins has put up in five fewer appearances.”
In other words, Higgins can be the Batman to Pickens’ Robin, or vice versa.
And while the Steelers’ ceiling still remains to be seen in 2024, Wilson might end up needing more offensive firepower if he’s going to lead this team to the Super Bowl inside a top-heavy AFC conference. Higgins would help with that, no question.
