Steelers’ Top WR Targets After George Pickens-Cowboys Trade amid Aaron Rodgers Rumors

If Aaron Rodgers was intrigued about potentially signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers specifically because of their receiver tandem with DK Metcalf and George Pickens, he will be upset to see they have broken them up already.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Steelers are in the process of finalizing a trade that will send Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 third-round draft pick and pick swaps.

This doesn't come as a total surprise because as soon as the Steelers traded for Metcalf and signed him to a five-year, $150 million contract extension, everyone was waiting for the other shoe to drop with Pickens.

Rodgers still hasn't indicated one way or another if he is going to play in 2025. Steelers owner Art Rooney II said in a radio interview during the draft they "may get word soon" and Rodgers "wants to come here."

Assuming Rodgers is plan A for the Steelers at quarterback, here are some receiving options they could look to pursue as a replacement for Pickens to boost their pass-catching room for the upcoming season.

Amari Cooper

AP Photo/Adrian Kraus

Most lists of the top remaining free agents, including from B/R's Kristopher Knox, have Amari Cooper as the best receiver still available.

Cooper is coming off a down year in 2024 that saw him split time between the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills. He finished with 547 yards and four touchdowns on 44 receptions in 14 games.

Wrist and back injuries did hamper Cooper at different points during the season. Having a full offseason to get back in peak condition could make him a bounce-back candidate.

Even though Cooper is over the age of 30—he will turn 31 on June 17—there's no reason to think he's completely cooked as a useful player. The five-time Pro Bowler had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023, while averaging a career-high 17.4 yards per reception in 2023.

Cooper would fit the bill of a receiver that Rodgers would love to play with. He has been lauded throughout his career as one of the most precise route-runners in the NFL.

Even if Rodgers doesn't end up with the Steelers, Cooper's route-running precision would also fit well if they have to rely on Mason Rudolph or rookie Will Howard because he will always be in the right spot if they can throw with anticipation.

Keenan Allen

AP Photo/Abbie Parr

Another precise route-runner, Keenan Allen is clearly on the tail end of his career at this point. He just turned 33 on April 27 and has dealt with his share of injuries over the years.

Last season with the Chicago Bears marked the first time Allen has played at least 15 games since 2021.

Allen is the definition of a possession receiver because there aren't going to be many explosive plays, but there is value in having someone with reliable hands and a big body who can make catches in traffic.

Even without many big plays on his resume in 2024, Allen still averaged more than eight targets per game and caught seven touchdowns. Rodgers has loved fade passes near the goal line throughout his career, which would pair nicely with what Allen does well.

Rudolph or Howard could also get away with some throws into traffic because of Allen's ability to fight off coverage from smaller defensive backs.

Metcalf is the home-run hitter on the outside in Pittsburgh, so adding a player like Allen and his knack for making catches in the middle of the field would bring a dimension to the offense that is currently lacking.

Romeo Doubs

AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman

This one takes some imagination because Romeo Doubs is still under contract with the Green Bay Packers, but they did go hard after wide receivers in the 2025 NFL draft.

Selecting Matthew Golden with the No. 23 overall pick ended Green Bay's 22-year drought of not selecting a receiver in the first round. The team went back to the well in the third round by taking TCU's Savion Williams.

The Packers figure to be without Christian Watson for at least a portion of the season after he tore his ACL in Week 18 against the Chicago Bears.

Doubs' status with the organization could be tenuous after some rough moments in 2024. He was suspended for one game due to conduct detrimental to the team after missing multiple practices.

If Rodgers signs with Pittsburgh, there would be some familiarity because his final year with the Green Bay Packers in 2022 was Doubs' rookie year.

There has been no definitive indication that the Packers are shopping Doubs in a trade, but he could bring back some value for a team that did use a lot of draft capital on receivers.

Doubs is also entering the final season of his rookie contract with a $3.6 million cap hit, so it wouldn't be difficult for other teams to fit him on the roster.

A team like the Steelers, that will pick up additional draft capital when the Pickens trade is finalized, could take a swing on Doubs. He is only 25 years old and has recorded 1,275 yards with 12 touchdowns in 30 games over the past two seasons.