The Steelers' offseason was full of intrigue after they traded Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers for Donte Jackson. The receiver room was noticeably thin after the move, and many wondered what the Steelers would do to fill that void.
Pittsburgh proceeded to take Roman Wilson in the NFL Draft, but he couldn't be the only addition to the room. There were rumors abound that they had a deal in place to acquire Brandon Aiyuk from the San Francisco 49ers before the season began.
Those rumors grew hotter toward the end of training camp only to get ice water thrown on them immediately with news the 49ers had signed Aiyuk to an extension. Pittsburgh was left with a very thin group just days before the season began.
Fast forward to the trade deadline and the room had not done anything to prove they could step up and make up for the lack of a true number two receiver. Through Week 8, Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin had combined for 28 receptions, 395 yards, and three touchdowns.
Mike Williams arrives in Pittsburgh
The Steelers were in major need of an upgrade at the position and went to the trade block to acquire one. There were rumors of Cooper Kupp or Courtland Sutton but they ultimately ended up trading for Mike Williams from the Jets.
Williams arrived in Pittsburgh having fallen down the depth chart in New York and seemingly out of favor with Aaron Rodgers in New York. He provided the big-bodied, field-stretching presence the Steelers needed up to this point.
In Williams's first game, he did not play many snaps but, filled in for an injured Calvin Austin near the end of the game and hauled in the would-be game-winning 32-yard touchdown. In the five games since, he has just four catches on six targets and very minimal snaps.
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The Steelers publicly believe in their receiver room but, the stats show that this group is not getting it done consistently enough to warrant such belief. Calvin Austin has been making some plays all season, but he is not a true number two opposite George Pickens.
Van Jefferson would be a fine third or fourth receiver, but he has been used as a second option for much of this season, with no real production to show for it. Jefferson has made some plays for the offense, but Williams has much more upside to his game, even at 30 years old.
Steelers refuse to utilize their trade acquisition
Mike Williams was brought in to help this room and, outside of the late game-winner in Washington, he has been utilized more like a fifth receiver to give other guys breathers throughout the game than a receiver brought in at the deadline to help bring more life and presence to this offense.
Now, with George Pickens sidelined with a hamstring injury, they need to have Williams on the field more than ever. Yet, in the Philadelphia game, Williams saw just two targets and 15 snaps.
Not using Williams is football malpractice. The Steelers need another playmaker at receiver, and he has shown on his limited targets that he can make those plays for this offense.
Even at age 30 and coming off a knee injury in 2023, Williams has still shown he can go up and get the deep ball. Russell Wilson is one of the best deep ball quarterbacks in the league and Pittsburgh must take advantage of the playmakers they have.
Pickens's return is up in the air at the moment and Pittsburgh needs to right the ship with Williams starting Week 16 in Baltimore. There is no reason Van Jefferson should continue to outsnap Williams down the stretch in the passing game.
Williams and Pickens provide much more of a threat to an opposing defense on the outside than Pickens and Jefferson do. The Steelers and Arthur Smith need to work him into the game plan and find opportunities for him to make plays down the stretch and into the playoffs.