According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, former first-round pick Treylon Burks is healthy and available to sign with any team. It's long been rumored that the Pittsburgh Steelers were searching for a potential receiver upgrade for their offense, but nothing has materialized. Many expect a possible upgrade to arrive from the trade front, but don't rule out some free agent choices.
Burks was out of the preseason process due to a broken collarbone. He hasn't been able to live up to his first-round status during his three seasons in the NFL. One could assume that the franchise he played for, the Tennessee Titans, was just poorly run. Maybe a change of scenery could help change how many perceive the playmaker. His signing with the Steelers makes sense.
Perhaps Pittsburgh could secure him for their practice squad while he learns the playbook and have a handshake agreement for him to transition to the active roster afterward.
He wouldn't cost much to sign, either, as the draft bust shouldn't have a lucrative market. Although he has draft pedigree, there is no guarantee that he would become the fix this franchise has been searching for since they traded away George Pickens.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could target free agent Treylon Burks to upgrade the receiver spot
While the Steelers are getting more desperate for receiver help, especially after Calvin Austin III's injury, they won't force a solution. They would love to add a true upgrade to the position on the trade front, but prices appear high. If they want to take a shot in the dark without giving away draft capital, it makes a ton of sense for them to show interest in bringing Burks onto their roster.
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Make no mistake about it, Pittsburgh should remain on the hunt, either via trade or free agents, to upgrade its receiver position. They should have choices to make leading up to the trade deadline, but they appear afraid to move any of their 2026 draft picks. If that is the case, adding someone like Burks might be one of their limited options to improve one of their weaknesses.
With the current injury to Austin, it will be up to Ben Skowronek, Scotty Miller, and Roman Wilson to fill that void. Those choices aren't too exciting as they are either unproven or veteran retreads. Adding Burks to the Steelers would give them a breath of fresh air.
Maybe he won't prove to be better than the three current choices, but it's worth a shot to see what kind of development he has left.
Burks was the 18th overall selection during the 2022 NFL Draft. He is a big target, but he hasn't been able to produce at the NFL level like you'd expect a former top pick to do. Despite his shortcomings, Burks is only 25 years old, and joining a new environment could alter his career path. Expectations shouldn't be high for the receiver, but he could help Pittsburgh this season.