The move barely moved the needle when the Pittsburgh Steelers signed WR Robert Woods. At the time, the Steelers still had George Pickens, and Woods was expected to give depth to the outside and slots. However, after swapping Piken, Woods suddenly appears to be his favorite to open the 2025 season opposite the outer DK Metcalf.
The Steelers can try to get a receiver, either through a free agency or trade, especially if they sign Aaron Rodgers. But Woods will still do more than originally thought. When discussing whether it’s better than Pittsburgh’s receiver room last year (as Omar Kahn believes), the debate is largely centered on being better than Pickens, hoping for a leap from Rome Wilson and Calvin Austin III.
But consider that last season, the Steelers played over 700 snaps on the outside. His 24 receptions put him in a historic, suspicious company for the receiver who played over 700 snaps and caught less than 25 passes. In Houston last season, Woods played 361 snaps, caught 20 balls, and had 40 receptions before that.
Woods is not going to come in and become the receiver he was in his prime. He is 33 years old and his best days are behind him. However, the player he is now is still going to upgrade what Jefferson offered outside last season, and his presence should go a long way to improve Pittsburgh’s receiver room this season. He could also be the leader and leader of some of the younger receivers, but his production on the field should be far better than what the Steelers saw last year was not named Pickens.
If Woods is a Pittsburgh starter on the other side of Metcalf, it’s not entirely shocking to see him pulling the reception of 40. That’s what he did in 2023’s 666 snaps, and Woods isn’t much attention paid to DK Metcalf on his side, especially on Calvin Austin III or potential field stretchers in the slots.
Austin or Wilson (in my opinion, perhaps Austin) could be Pittsburgh’s second most productive wide receiver, but seeing him as a direct replacement for Jefferson, including Robert Woods, is one reason why I agree with Kern that a wider receiver room is in better condition than last year would enter 2025. Another year of development from Te Pat Freiermuth and the potential signature of QB Aaron Rodgers allows the Steelers passing game to make strength.
