The Pittsburgh Steelers made significant moves during the early window of free agency. They signed notable contributors such as back-to-back 1,000-yard running back Rico Dowdle and former Super Bowl champion cornerback Jamel Dean. But perhaps the most notable move that the Steelers made was trading for two-time 1,000-yard wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
Longtime CBS broadcaster Jim Nanz joined The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday and felt the need to give flowers to the Steelers for the move. He also noted how Pittman gives the Pittsburgh offense a clear No. 2 option.
The Pittsburgh Steelers Have an Elite WR Duo
GettyMichael Pittman Jr. was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round out of USC in 2020.
Here is what Nantz had to say about the Steelers making the trade for Pittman:
“You had Metcalf getting all the coverage (last season). There was no No. 2. No really scary No. 2 for the Steelers. I mean, Pittman, he’s had a 100-catch season…I love him as a player. I don’t know him. I hear great things about him as a person. I just think he’s a tremendous player.”
Not only did the Steelers trade for Pittman and a seventh-round pick in exchange for a sixth-round pick, but they also gave him a new contract. It’s three years for $59 million. Now, they have another prime option out wide alongside two-time Pro Bowl pass-catcher DK Metcalf.
Metcalf led the Steelers in receiving yards last season (850). However, the team didn’t have another wide receiver eclipse 500 yards receiving. That is a problem, and that is why Pittsburgh made the move to go get Pittman. Still, with 12 draft picks at their disposal, the Steelers have a chance to add even more help on that side of the football.
Mike McCarthy Looks to Flip the Script for Steelers’ Offense
GettySteelers head coach Mike McCarthy is now an NFL head coach for the third time in his career.
Thanks to the additions of Pittman and Dowdle, the Pittsburgh offense now looks a little more formidable. This is especially true if McCarthy can find a way to bring offensive mastery to the Steel City as he did in Green Bay for so many years, as well as Dallas.
With the Packers, whether it was with Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers starting under center, McCarthy helped turn the Packers’ offense into one of the league’s most prolific groups almost annually. Due to Green Bay’s consistency on offense, the team was able to make the playoffs eight consecutive years (2009-2016) and bring home a Super Bowl.
In Dallas, while McCarthy couldn’t lead the team to a Super Bowl, he helped the Cowboys win 12 games in three consecutive seasons (2021-2023). Plus, he helped quarterback Dak Prescott become an MVP candidate.
While a Rodgers return would certainly help Pittsburgh’s offense take even more of a step from what it was from a season ago, the collective skill-position group is in a much better place. The quarterback position just needs to get an answer before the end of the NFL Draft next week.
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