JULY 4: Fowler’s colleague Brooke Pryor confirms receiver remains a position at which the Steelers are open to making an addition. The acquisition of tight end Jonnu Smith will give Pittsburgh another pass catcher, but Davis or a different free agent wideout could still wind up in the fold before training camp.
JULY 1: It’s been nearly a month since Gabe Davis visited the Steelers. While the veteran wide receiver didn’t immediately put pen to paper, it sounds like he remains a target for the organization. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Davis is “still an option” for Pittsburgh.
[RELATED: Steelers Host WR Gabe Davis]
Fowler adds that the wideout “really enjoyed” his visit with the franchise back in June. However, Davis is expected to take his time deciding on his next landing spot, with Fowler suggesting that a signing could come closer to training camp.
Davis was a popular name after getting cut by the Jaguars in May. In addition to the Steelers, the 26-year-old met with the 49ers, Giants, and Saints. The receiver’s free agency tour ended with that New Orleans visit in early June, and we can assume each of those suitors remain in the race for the veteran’s services.
Davis inked a three-year, $39MM deal with the Jaguars last offseason, but he only lasted one season in Jacksonville before earning his walking papers. His 2024 campaign represented one of the worst seasons of his career, as the wideout compiled career-lows in receptions (20), receiving yards (239), and receiving touchdowns (two). Teams are still clearly banking on the player’s Buffalo performance, where he hauled in 27 touchdowns across four seasons. This included a 2022 campaign where the former fourth-round pick hauled in 48 catches for 836 yards.
The Steelers are naturally operating as if Davis won’t be on their squad in 2025, and this means they’re eyeing a group of receivers behind new WR1 D.K. Metcalf. As ESPN’s Brooke Pryor writes, Calvin Austin III currently appears to be in the lead for the team’s WR2 role.
The former fourth-round pick had a strong sophomore season, finishing with 36 catches for 548 yards and four touchdowns. The organization is confident he can hit another level, with receivers coach Zach Azzanni declaring during minicamp that the second receiver role was “Calvin’s right now.”
As Pryor notes, Austin will still have to build a rapport with Aaron Rodgers, which will go a long way in determining the receiver hierarchy. The third-year player will be competing with the likes of Robert Woods, Scotty Miller, Roman Wilson, and Ben Skowronek for reps behind Metcalf.
A healthy Davis is the deep threat that the Steelers don’t currently have.
I was hoping the Giants would consider Davis not sure what happened. They are probably out of money to spend
The Giants have so many playable receivers, they’re gonna be cutting guys that end up in the top 6 for other teams by the end of the year.
Calvin Austin bro. Slot rocket
Obviously WR2 is a weakness, but I honestly like Robert Woods more than any of the guys available. Beyond that, you dont necessarily want a slow vet who cant play special as your WR4 or 5.
I wouldn’t mind a trade for Terry McLauren etc, but the free agent market is just a bunch of dudes similar to Robert Woods
Woods is 33. Only Allen isn’t younger than him of the major WRs available. LAR Woods would be a no brainer but that’s not who this is.
Why would McLaurin be willing to go to Pittsburgh and be a #2?
I agree about Woods. You know, Austin is a great option here and there but he was one of a number of guys last year who couldn’t get consistent separation when Pickens was being doubled
Maybe Wilson will be that threat if he can get on the field.
But if they’re gonna sign someone, Davis would be a good choice
Steelers will probably be running a lot of two TE sets anyway.
Homie just sign already. Lmao what are Amari cooper Keenan Allen Gabe Davis Tyler Boyd waiting for ?
Injuries. Someone will get desperate and overpay.
Maybe
What’s the rush? As long as they’re signed during or before training camp, they’re good.
No rush just curious what market they have at the moment
I thought I saw some report that Keenan Allen isn’t interested in playing here
He’s not but he needs to sign while he can
AB still out there…
I would have thought Rodgers could provide Omar with a shopping list.
Not unless they’re gonna make a sequel to The Longest Yard
Davis is probably smart to not rush his decision this time around.
Signing with Jacksonville destroyed his high value built up over multiple years in Buffalo.
I really don’t understand why they don’t sign A.Cooper? He would be a huge upgrade for the offense. We still need to sign TJ and sign a safety like Simmons it’s not like we don’t have the money but make these moves and let’s go win a Super Bowl but got sign TJ and a WR might be able to get by with out a safety
Probably because he wouldn’t be an upgrade
My guess is ego.
Cooper has been a #1 for pretty much his entire career. When he stopped putting up huge stats in Dallas, he got traded and put up huge stats in Cleveland to prove he’s still a #1.
His Buffalo tenure hurt his value considerably but Cooper no doubt doesn’t want to go somewhere where there is a guy who is already penciled in as the #1 and has a huge contract to show it. He probably wants an opportunity to be that guy again or at least be in a more open situation.
Translation: they want to sign him, but he doesn’t want to play for the veteran’s minimum.
In my opinion I Cooper would be a difference maker for the Steelers, he’d be kinda of 1b with Metcalf, they would be a top 10 due I. The league, only thing stopping them is money which the have that and more to get a deal done
Why aren’t the Niners interested in him until Aiyuk gets back? Probably because he makes too much sense