The George Pickens trade shook up the Pittsburgh Steelers’ depth chart and ignited speculation about what comes next. While many fans are still reeling from losing one of the team’s most electric offensive talents, the front office may not be finished reshaping the wide receiver room. With veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers potentially headed to Pittsburgh, all signs point toward a short-term push, which could involve another move at receiver.
Aaron Rodgers’ Old Targets Could Reunite in Pittsburgh
Multiple insiders believe the Steelers could tap into Rodgers’ past relationships to bring in one of his trusted targets. Trade capital isn’t an issue, as the team picked up extra third-rounders in the Pickens deal, giving general manager Omar Khan the ammo to make another splash.
Pittsburgh’s potential — and long-awaited — partnership with Rodgers has opened the door for two familiar names: Allen Lazard and Romeo Doubs. Both have a history with Rodgers and could be acquired without giving up a premium draft pick.
Lazard, 29, followed Rodgers to New York in 2023, but after catching just 37 passes for 530 yards last season, he appears to be on the outs. With over 3,000 career yards and a proven connection with Rodgers — including a 2021 campaign where he caught eight touchdowns — Lazard could fit nicely as a veteran WR2 in Pittsburgh.
Doubs, meanwhile, is younger (age 25) and has flashed promise since being drafted by the Packers in 2022. He connected with Jordan Love on 46 catches for 601 yards and four touchdowns in 2024, but Green Bay’s recent additions at receiver may push him out of their plans. With a manageable rookie contract and Rodgers’ endorsement, Doubs is a logical target.
And then there’s Brandon Aiyuk, the Aaron Rodgers of Pittsburgh’s 2024 offseason. While a trade seemed likely at one point, the six-year veteran ultimately signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the 49ers.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk said on Pittsburgh’s 93.7 The Fan on May 7, “The 49ers would love to unload Brandon Aiyuk’s contract on the Steelers.” Of course they would. That contract is a massive one. San Francisco already paid Aiyuk’s $22.85 million roster bonus in April, making any trade complex — but not impossible.
.@ProFootballTalk on @937theFan "The 49ers would love to unload Brandon Aiyuk's contract on the Steelers." 👀👀👀
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) May 7, 2025
It should be noted that Gerry Dulac, Steelers insider for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, contradicts speculation of another receiver joining the Black and Gold. “No more WR trades. They already did that,” Dulac responded in a May 7 Steelers fan chat. He’s been known to be wrong before.
5 WRs Steelers Could Target in Trade After Sending George Pickens to Dallas Cowboys
Four of these five wide receivers were recently listed among PFSN’s trade and cut candidates. Here are pass-catchers who could be on Pittsburgh’s radar after shipping Pickens off to Dallas.
1) Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
Aiyuk put up a career-high 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023, averaging 17.9 yards per catch. He was limited to 374 yards after an ACL and MCL tear in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs sidelined him for the remainder of the season. The 49ers may not be able to sustain his cap hit long term, and if Metcalf and company aren’t enough for Rodgers, Aiyuk might be worth a phone call.
2) Allen Lazard, New York Jets
Lazard was Rodgers’ go-to red zone threat in Green Bay. In 69 games with Rodgers, he had 207 catches for 2,792 yards and 25 touchdowns. His role diminished with the Jets, but a change of scenery could revive him.
3) Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers
Doubs was a rookie during what would be Rodgers’ final season with the Packers, catching 42 passes for 425 and three scores. Over two seasons with Love, the third-year receiver has logged 1,275 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’s a productive, young option with upside, but expendable with Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and rookies Matthew Golden and Savion Williams ruling the roost.
4) Christian Kirk, Houston Texans
Christian Kirk missed half of 2024 with the Jacksonville Jaguars after suffering a broken collarbone in Week 8 and struggled to connect with Trevor Lawrence, averaging just 47 yards per game. The Houston Texans traded for Kirk at the start of the offseason, but parted with just a seventh-round pick in 2026 to acquire him.
Given the minimal draft capital and that the Texans drafted a pair of Iowa State wide receivers in Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, there’s no guarantee Kirk makes Houston’s roster. It’s within the realm of possibility that the Steelers could offer Houston a similar deal or better to bring Kirk to Pittsburgh.
5) Hollywood Brown, Kansas City Chiefs
Hollywood Brown’s 2024 season was capped at just two games after he dislocated his shoulder. In March, he signed a one-year, $11 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Steelers could explore a midseason trade if he doesn’t cement himself as a long-term fit in KC.