Steelers wide receivers looking to step up after Pickens trade

PITTSBURGH, Pa. (BLACK AND GOLD NATION) – You could argue that DK Metcalf and George Pickens would have been among the best wide receiver duos in the NFL. The key word is would as Pittsburgh traded Pickens to Dallas just a little over a month after acquiring Metcalf.

“We were friends but end of the day when you step on this football field it’s business,” Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III said of the Pickens trade.

This is back-to-back offseasons that the Steelers have traded away one of their top pass catchers with Diontae Johnson being sent to Carolina last year. Once again, it brings up the question if the team will receive impactful production from its second wide receiver.

This year, Pittsburgh is relying on players like Austin III and Roman Wilson to step into a bigger role.

Austin III had his best season last year with 36 catches, 548 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Meanwhile, Wilson missed his entire rookie campaign with injuries.

“I feel like after last year for me personally, (I had improved),” Austin III said. “(There) was so much more (room to get better). So, we’re still chasing that and at the end of the day, we’re chasing the biggest goal of all to win a Super Bowl.”

“I don’t want to think too much about last year, but I definitely learned a lot and it definitely helped to shape who I am this upcoming season,” Wilson said.

Earlier this offseason, Steelers general manager Omar Khan said he was confident in Wilson’s growth heading into this year.

“The only thing I’m really focused on is getting better every single day and just being ready when my name is called,” the former Michigan wide receiver said.

Week one of the Steelers Organized Team Activities concludes on Thursday morning.