The Pittsburgh Steelers shocked the NFL world with their decision to trade star wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, dealing a major blow to their receiving corps. But for many insiders, the move was less about giving up on a top talent and more about making space for a new offensive direction — one likely to revolve around veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. With Rodgers rumored to be on the verge of joining the Steelers, attention has shifted to which receivers could follow him to Pittsburgh.
NFL Insiders Link Aaron ‘Rodgers-Approved’ WRs to Pittsburgh After Pickens Deal
Rodgers has never been shy about wanting a say in roster construction, particularly at wide receiver. That dynamic played out in Green Bay and again in New York, where the Jets brought in several of his preferred targets. Now, with the Steelers potentially pivoting toward a short-term championship window built around Rodgers, some of those names — familiar faces from past Rodgers offenses — are surfacing again.
NFL insider Albert Breer recently floated the possibility of Pittsburgh targeting one of Rodgers’ favorite young receivers from Green Bay: Romeo Doubs. A fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Doubs posted 42 catches for 425 yards and three touchdowns in his rookie season — with Rodgers under center.
“Aaron Rodgers was very fond of Romeo Doubs when they were together,” Breer noted, fueling speculation that Doubs could be on the Steelers’ radar now that Green Bay has restocked its wide receiver room through the draft. The Packers added two more young receivers (Matthew Golden, Savion Williams) in 2025, which could make a player like Doubs expendable.
Aaron Rodgers was very fond of Romeo Doubs when they were together. https://t.co/nTXrkMOElb
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 7, 2025
That led Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr to chime in: “Wondering if Pittsburgh now raids the Rodgers-approved overage of Green Bay’s receiving room after the Packers double dipped the position in the draft.” Orr’s comment speaks to a growing theory that Rodgers’ potential arrival will influence not only the quarterback room but the overall construction of the Steelers’ offense.
Wondering if Pittsburgh now raids the Rodgers-approved overage of Green Bay’s receiving room after the Packers double dipped the position in the draft https://t.co/tOYIwC7YFv
— Conor Orr (@ConorOrr) May 7, 2025
Meanwhile, another name gaining traction is Allen Lazard, who followed Rodgers to the Jets in 2023 but has since fallen out of favor in New York. Rodgers and Lazard connected for 1,318 yards and a dozen touchdowns, and Lazard now sounds like a trade candidate after the Jets upgraded at the position. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio added fuel to that fire: “With Pittsburgh now needing a No. 2 receiver (and with Aaron Rodgers likely on the way), Allen Lazard is ‘in play’ to be traded from the Jets to the Steelers.”
Both Doubs and Lazard carry built-in chemistry with Rodgers and could help accelerate the learning curve if the four-time MVP lands in Pittsburgh. The Steelers currently lack an established WR2 after trading Pickens — in turn, sending Steelers Nation into a tailspin — and leaning on a group of mostly unproven young receivers. A familiar face could bring both experience and continuity to a reshaped offense.
While it’s all speculation, a move could be imminent. The writing on the wall suggests Steelers general manager Omar Khan isn’t done dealing. If Rodgers is indeed on the way, don’t be surprised if a few of his former favorite targets are close behind.