Following the NFL Combine, we learned that the Cincinnati Bengals have used the franchise tag to retain star wide receiver Tee Higgins. Higgins was set to be the top free agent receiver this year and Pittsburgh Steelers fans were optimistic they would throw their hat in the ring for a chance to sign him.
But when one door closes, another door opens.
On Tuesday, ESPN Insider Adam Schefter reported that the New York Jets are releasing veteran wide receiver Davante Adams. The three-time First-Team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler played three games with the Raiders in 2024 before being traded to the Jets before the deadline.
Jets are releasing WR Davante Adams, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2025
Adams was more than halfway through the lucrative five-year, $140 million contract he signed with Las Vegas in 2022, but the Jets couldn't stomach the cap number for the aging receiver in 2025.
Now one of the best wide receivers of the past decade is ripe for the picking, and the Pittsburgh Steelers could look to make up for the trade deadline fiasco we saw in 2024.
Pittsburgh Steelers could pursue wide receiver Davante Adams in free agency
Just before the 2024 NFL trade deadline, the Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly had an interest in trading for Davante Adams, but it was the NY Jets who executed the deal with the Raiders for a conditional 2025 third-round pick. In a desperation move, Steelers general manager Omar Khan traded for underwhelming Jets wide receiver Mike Williams.
While Williams did make the game-winning catch on the road against the Washington Commanders, his production wasn't worth the loss of even Day 3 draft capital. In nine games in Pittsburgh, Williams finished with nine catches for 132 yards.
Now Williams is a free agent and the Steelers are desperate to upgrade their wide receiver room. Adams is a player Mike Tomlin has had his eyes on, and offering a deal to the 32-year-old free agent isn't out of the question. Because of his fantastic resume, Adams will be looking for one more massive payday, and the Steelers have enough cap space to make it happen.
With an underwhelming free agent pool at the wide receiver position, Adams becomes one of the top choices alongside Chris Godwin and Stefon Diggs. Signing Adams won't come cheap, but the Steelers weren't able to execute trades for receiver help during the 2024 offseason. Now they can get one of the players they've targeted all along.
Adams isn't the same player he was at the peak of his career from 2018 to 2022, but he would still bring a well-balanced skill set and more stability to the position than the Steelers have had in years. Expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to be in the mix for the veteran wideout when the NFL negotiation period begins ahead of free agency.