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Steelers Named Potential Landing Spot for Veteran Receivers Odell Beckham Jr., Keenan Allen, and Others

Jul 21, 2025 3:50 PM EDT

The Pittsburgh Steelers have revamped the entire offense this offseason with the signing of budding star receiver DK Metcalf and future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Despite a loaded tight end duo of Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith, the Steelers might be one more wide receiver piece away from becoming considered among the true contenders in the AFC.

Behind Metcalf is Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, and Roman Wilson. With a relatively unknown run game after parting ways with running back Najee Harris, Pittsburgh is expected to be a pass-heavy team in what is likely Rodgers’ final NFL season.

Steelers’ front office could get active on the free agency market as they get training camp underway and begin evaluating Rodgers’ pass-catching options.

Pro Football Sports Network notes that there are multiple veteran receivers who could fit nicely with Pittsburgh on low-risk free agency contracts for next season.

Odell Beckham Jr.

After spending some time away, OBJ has expressed on social media that he intends to keep playing and find a team for this upcoming season. Pittsburgh and both New York teams were named as potential landing spots for the former star.

Beckham is coming off a forgetful 2024 season with the Miami Dolphins where he only caught nine passes in his nine games played. “At this stage, OBJ projects best as a veteran mentor off the bench for young receivers,” PFSN writes.

The Giants are intriguing here as a homecoming with breakout receiver Malik Nabers, but Beckham would have to assume a larger role than what his recent output could likely manage. In Pittsburgh, he could also mentor the young pieces while serving as a complementary asset to Metcalf, the tight ends, and presumptive WR2 Austin.

At 32, Beckham has also mentioned that he would want to find his way onto a contending team, something the Steelers are much closer to being than the Giants and Jets.

Keenan Allen

Allen, 33, is also getting up there in age, but he remains one of the smartest slot receivers in the game, which could fit into a perfect mentorship role for a similar type player in the younger Austin.

“Keenan Allen didn’t have a bad year in 2024 by any means; it just wasn’t up to his standard,” PFSN adds. “He finished with a career low in yards per game in his lone season in Chicago. However, he still finished top 50 in all key receiving categories with 70 catches, 744 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.”

This may be of the more high-dollar free agency options, which may not be affordable for the Steelers and their 22nd-ranked $17.6 million left in cap space.

Tyler Boyd

Boyd also finds himself still in the free agent pool because of a poor performance last season, one that is “the worst season of his career since 2017.” This drives his potential price down to a feasible number, which is something to note at just 30 years old. His reliability showed in 2024 with only one dropped pass on his 56 targets.

“Tyler Boyd isn’t an elite athlete at wide receiver, but he’s a sure-handed slot receiver who has a high route-running IQ that helps him get open, even at 30 years old. He can still bring value to an NFL team.”

Gabe Davis

Davis, 26, isn’t a veteran by the common sense of the word, but he could bring valuable pedigree if he returns from injury. This move would be more of a gamble for the Steelers, but the interest here has been proven as Davis has visited Pittsburgh already this offseason.

After 1,582 receiving yards from 2022-23 with the Buffalo Bills, Davis was cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars after a torn meniscus in his first year of a new contract. With the Jags’ lowly offense, he was limited to just 20 receptions for 239 yards.

“He would be best suited in an offense that allows him to maximize his vertical capabilities. That said, keep an eye on some playoff contenders to consider him on a discounted one-year deal before he signs another contract next offseason.”

The Steelers shouldn’t try to keep pace with the elite receiving corps of the Cincinnati Bengals or the well-rounded offensive firepower of the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North, but one more veteran receiver could round out a formidable depth chart that gives Rodgers the best possible set of options for this season.