As quarterback Aaron Rodgers may agree, the Pittsburgh Steelers are a living example of the idea that team building doesn’t stop at the NFL Draft. The Steelers took until June to sign their quarterback for the 2025 season and shouldn’t stop there.
At least, that is what one NFL analyst has suggested in a recent article posted online. He went one step further, naming who the Steelers should sign to presumably make a one-two signing combo.
George Pickens’ Exit Kicks Door Open for Another Familiar Face To Join Aaron Rodgers
Writing in a May 30 article for Sports Illustrated, NFL analyst Gilberto Manzano recommended that the Steelers sign former Buffalo Bills wideout Amari Cooper.
“Cooper, who turns 31 in June, had a quiet, brief stint with the Bills after being traded by the Browns midway through the season,” Manzano wrote. “He’s still a solid route runner capable of opening up the field for his teammates.”
“The Steelers are thin at wide receiver after sending George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys,” he continued. “Cooper can help move the chains and take some attention away from newcomer star wideout DK Metcalf. Cooper, who has 711 career receptions, would make life easier for Mason Rudolph or a popular unsigned quarterback.”
Of course, Rodgers has been added to the team since the article was posted. Cooper didn’t have the best season of his career in 2025, but he did prove that he can still be productive. He crossed the 500-yard mark despite getting traded and needing to learn a new offense in the middle of the 2024 season.
Adding Cooper Would Confirm Steelers’ Clear Desire
The Steelers are already a veteran-heavy organization, but adding the older wide receiver would be the cherry on top to prove that the organization’s strategy is to prioritize experience over youth on offense.
Rodgers is in his 40s, Mason Rudolph is getting ready to enter his 30s, DK Metcalf is in the final few years of his 20s, wide receiver Robert Woods is entering his mid-30s, and running back Jaylen Warren is entering the second half of his 20s.
Aaron Rodgers is OFFICIALLY a Pittsburgh Steeler#PMSLive #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/RiE9c3pK1R
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 9, 2025
At this point, it appears that head coach Mike Tomlin is mainly interested in spending resources on experienced players over training younger players on offense.
In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers didn’t take an offensive player until the third round and only took two offensive players in total, despite ranking 25th in Offense+ by PFSN. The Steelers are seemingly attempting to fix their woes primarily through experienced veterans, which carries its own downside.
Veterans know their way around the gridiron much better, but often have a harder time staying healthy and productive. It appears the Steelers are willing to take known quantities with lower ceilings over a complete roll of the dice, but eventually, they will need to rip the band-aid off and add a massive influx of youth.
Will they choose to kickstart the offensive rebuild in 2026?
