When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed veteran wide receiver Robert Woods shortly after the 2025 NFL Draft, many assumed it was to use Woods as the new veteran option in the passing game. Last year, Van Jefferson was handed the No. 2 receiver spot, and in 2023, veteran Allen Robinson started all 17 games for Pittsburgh.
However, this isn't the case for Robert Woods.
In the first two weeks at Steelers training camp, Woods has been running behind players like DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, and Roman Wilson. But they aren't the only receivers getting the nod above Woods in the pecking order.
The latest buzz out of camp is that Ben Skowronek—who is largely known for his ability as a special teams gunner—has been working as the team's No. 4 wide receiver. During Sunday's practice, Austin sat out, and it was Skowronek (not Woods) who took his place.
Seeing how the wide receiver depth is starting to unfold before the first Steelers preseason game has fans wondering if Woods is going to make the roster at all.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could already be preparing to part with veteran WR Robert Woods
Robert Woods has been somewhat quiet halfway through Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. Though fans didn't have high expectations for a 33-year-old receiver who recorded just 203 yards in 15 games with the Houston Texans last year, we also didn't think that he could already be the odd man out of the wide receiver room before Week 1 of the preseason.
Skowronek running ahead of him on the depth chart makes you wonder what value Woods offers this team in 2025.
Woods has logged just 160 special teams snaps over his previous nine NFL seasons. That equates to just 17.7 special teams snaps per year over roughly the past decade. As the second-oldest player on the offense behind only Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh may not want Woods running down kicks and punts on special teams.
But if he can't offer value there as a No. 5 receiver, what's the point of sticking around?
While Woods could work his way back up to the WR4 by the end of Steelers training camp and the preseason, it almost feels more likely that he could fall even further. As the veteran is on his last legs and hasn't recorded as many as 575 receiving yards in a season since 2020, Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith could value a younger player with more special teams chops and upside.
Roc Taylor is a name to watch at the position. The undrafted rookie out of Memphis stands at roughly 6'2'' and 220 pounds and has had an impressive camp to date. The Steelers also have veteran Scotty Miller fighting for one of the final WR spots, while Brandon Johnson and Lance McCutcheon will be scrapping and clawing for a shot to stick around in 2025.
The arrow is pointed down for Robert Woods, and the 13-year veteran is already on the hot seat before the Pittsburgh Steelers' first preseason game.