On Wednesday, long-time NFL wide receiver Tyler Lockett took to social media to bid his team farewell. The Seattle Seahawks are parting ways with Lockett after a lustrous decade-long run that included 661 receptions for 8,594 receiving yards and 61 touchdowns. Now the Pittsburgh Steelers could set their sights on a receiver they were rumored to be interested in last year.
Since last offseason, Lockett has been mentioned in trade proposals with the Steelers. Pittsburgh was razor-thin at wide receiver and reuniting Lockett with quarterback Russell Wilson would have made sense on the surface.
I really enjoyed being in Seattle! I met so many great people and captured so many great memories! The 12’s really make this place meaningful! Although, my time on the Seahawks may have run its course I’m thankful for everything!!God gets all the glory forever!!!! pic.twitter.com/cywZBDhOVR
— Tyler Lockett (@TDLockett12) March 5, 2025
But those days have long since passed.
With both Wilson and Lockett becoming unrestricted free agents this offseason, the window for a once-lethal quarterback-wide receiver connection is in the rearview mirror.
Pittsburgh Steelers should want no part of a Russell Wilson-Tyler Lockett pairing in 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers are still desperate for quarterback and wide receiver help. This is no secret. However, Omar Khan and the front office must know that a Russell Wilson-Tyler Lockett reunion would come years too late.
Though Wilson showed promise in the middle of the 2024 season, the 36-year-old crumbled down the stretch. Over his final five games (including the playoff loss to the Ravens), Wilson led his offense to just 14 points per contest while going on a five-game skid to close the year.
Lockett, meanwhile, fell out of favor in 2024 with quarterback Geno Smith and the Seahawks last season. Despite playing all 17 games and making 14 starts, Lockett managed just 49 receptions on 74 targets for 600 yards. Smith had a passer rating of just 77.5 when looking in Lockett's direction last season.
Now Wilson will turn 37 years old during the 2025 season and will demand a new deal in free agency. Meanwhile, Lockett turns 33 early in the season and is coming off the lowest-graded season of his career, per Pro Football Focus.
Instead of living in the past, the Steelers should be focused on what lies ahead. Go after a quarterback who isn't on a stark decline and a wide receiver who has better days ahead of him.
Four years ago, a dozen teams would have signed up to bring Russell Wilson and Tyler Lockett on board. But this once-impressive QB-WR tandem would be a disappointment at this stage of their careers. The Pittsburgh Steelers could retain Wilson and reunite him with Lockett, but Omar Khan should gladly pass on the opportunity in free agency.