Ever since the Steelers traded away wide receiver Diontae Johnson during the 2024 offseason, many in Steelers’ Nation have expected there to be a corresponding move at the Steelers wide receiver position. Whether it was rumors of free agent Tyler Boyd returning to Pittsburgh with the Steelers or making one of numerous rumored trades, a big move at the position has been something many have assumed was coming for months.

But do any of these moves make sense at this point?

While some of these options are off the table, there are still many fans and NFL insiders who expect the Steelers to make another significant move at wide receiver. After all, “they can’t possibly go into the regular season with the players they have?”

Although this is a very valid point, and the Steelers could still make a move to add to their roster, the longer things go the less some of their options makes sense. Do the Steelers really want to trade away draft capital and have to pay top dollar in an escalating wide receiver market? Is this their best option to improve their team moving forward?

Pulling the trigger on a move could be tempting. But if the Steelers have an in-house option that requires no additional draft capital or expenses, should they simply roll with what they have?

There’s little doubt that George Pickens is the Steelers top receiving option this time. But beyond Pickens, exactly where the Steelers production is going to come from is a mystery. Although some believe the Steelers will be utilizing the tight end position in the receiving game much more, there still needs to be another threat at wide receiver. After the Steelers have completed their offseason activities, the player who has been getting the most praise and could be the most likely candidate is third-year wide receiver Calvin Austin.

Although this is Austin‘s third year in the NFL, he missed his entire rookie season due to injury. In essence, Austin is more of a player who should be looking for a second-year jump than one in his third season. Although he only had 17 receptions for 180 yards during the regular season in 2023, if Austin can emerge as a significant threat, the Steelers would be in a much better situation than having to trade for a big-name, and big salaried, player.

The Steelers have taken the philosophy of continuing to utilize the draft to keep their options at wide receiver coming through the system. Yes, they have offered a significant contract to a player, but rarely more than one at a time. It’s by being able to replenish the position through the draft which has allowed the Steelers to have viable options without having to pay multiple large contracts. Additionally, the Steelers haven’t brought in big name receivers with large contracts from outside the organization. It’s not that they can’t, and it’s not that this could not be a philosophy under general manager Omar Khan, it would just be a major shift in philosophy.

It would be difficult to argue that the best option for the Steelers at wide receiver would be for some of the players on their current roster to step up in a huge way. Whether it be rookie Roman Wilson or the emergence of Calvin Austin, the ability of these players to give significant production while still on their rookie deals could make or break the Steelers offense.

Calvin Austin could be the answer for the Steelers at wide receiver in 2024. If so, the Steelers would be in a better situation moving forward when it comes to the salary cap space and having all their draft capital. But if Austin is not the answer and Steelers don’t make another move, it could be a difficult season ahead.