The Pittsburgh Steelers have a desperate need at the wide receiver position. This was true in 2024, and the problem proved even greater than we anticipated. Outside of George Pickens, there wasn't another receiver in the offense who could be counted on from game to game.
You can bet the Steelers will look to fix the issue in 2025.
With free agency around the corner, fans are wondering who Pittsburgh's front office will pursue this offseason. Cincinnati Bengals star receiver Tee Higgins has been frequently linked to the team as a possible option. Of course, this would require the Steelers to fork up a bigger contract in free agency than the franchise has ever handed out.
According to the latest rumor from Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan, that's exactly what they intend to do. Fillipponi reports that the Steelers 'love' Tee Higgins and would be willing to pay him more than they had planned to pay Brandon Aiyuk (if their trade in place with the 49ers last offseason hadn't fallen through).
There's no doubt a weapon like Higgins would give the offense a significant boost, but can the Steelers afford to sign him in free agency?
Steelers must fork up lucrative contract for Tee Higgins
Fillipponi suggests that Higgins could make as much as $30 million per season. But in reality, he's going to cost more than this. Higgins is unquestionably the top wide receiver and overall player on the free agent market this year.
While $30 million per year might be the going rate for Higgins if he was acquired in a trade and signed a deal with his new team, you can bet it will be more after teams get into a bidding war for Higgins in free agency. As teams try to top the offer, Higgins' average annual earnings could climb near the top of the league with players like Justin Jefferson ($35M/year) and CeeDee Lamb ($34M/year).
After all, Higgins just turned 26 years old in January and could be even better on his second contract than he has been with the Bengals. Good wide receivers can play at a high level into their early 30s, and despite Higgins' injury history, teams will overpay to land a player like this without giving up draft capital.
Players like Higgins simply don't become available often in free agency. He's a superstar wide receiver entering the prime of his NFL career, and the Steelers should be willing to give him a lucrative contract to bring him to Pittsburgh.