If one thing is clear, it’s that the Pittsburgh Steelers are going all-in on the 2025-26 season. With quarterback Aaron Rodgers not getting any younger, the team is attempting to make a championship push with him in what could be his lone season in town — and his last in the NFL.
Alongside the Rodgers pickup came numerous other moves. One of them, notably, was trading for former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf. As Week 1 of the regular season approaches, could another high-profile wideout enter the fold?
Odell Beckham Jr. isn’t ruling it out. The veteran pass catcher says he isn’t done in the NFL, which could lead to a signing in the coming weeks. Apparently, linking up with Rodgers isn’t out of the question.
Odell Beckham Jr. Not Ruling Out Possibility of Joining Steelers
Comments Beckham made earlier this summer are beginning to resurface. In an appearance on the “Club Random Podcast” with Bill Maher, he left the door open for the prospect of signing with the Steelers and playing with Rodgers.
“I love him, and we’ve had conversations,” Beckham said. “I won’t say that it’s not a possibility, and I won’t say that I haven’t had any communication.”
It’s no secret that Rodgers and Beckham have been fans of one another for years. Every time Beckham was on the market, whichever team Rodgers played on was oftentimes deemed a favorite to land him. Back in June, Pittsburgh was urged to pursue the former Offensive Rookie of the Year.
It’s important to keep in mind that Beckham is nowhere near the level of player he once was. There are no more Pro Bowl or second-team All-Pro berths left in the tank. Heck, there probably isn’t a 2019 Cleveland Browns effort left in him. If that’s the case, what’s a potential high-level expectation should he play in an 11th season?
Look at Beckham’s lone campaign with the Baltimore Ravens as a reference point. In 14 regular-season games, he hauled in 35 passes for 565 yards and 3 touchdowns. That was pretty similar to his 2021 production, when he posted 44 catches for 537 yards and 5 touchdowns with the Browns and Los Angeles Rams.
Does that stat line help a team like the Steelers? Absolutely. The question is whether the juice is worth the squeeze, though.
Breaking Down Current Pittsburgh Wide Receiver Room
Banking on Beckham to replicate any sort of prior output is risky. After all, he’ll turn 33 in November and has a multitude of injuries on the docket. He’s suffered knee, ankle, hip, shoulder and hamstring ailments since the turn of the decade. Also, last season with the Miami Dolphins went about as poorly as one could expect. In 9 games, he was targeted 18 times in the passing game and mustered all of 9 catches for 55 yards.
The Steelers’ wideout depth chart is by no means loaded. Metcalf is a nice starting point and would be a No. 1 option on several teams. That isn’t an issue. Behind him, both Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson are young players who have flashed. With that said, neither is established as a top-tier secondary receiver. Austin’s 548 yards and 4 touchdowns a season ago hinted at development. Would signing Beckham prevent that progression for players who need the reps? Potentially.
In all likelihood, Beckham’s realistic outcome would be being another Robert Woods or Scotty Miller. That isn’t a bad thing, as it’d pad the depth at receiver and complete the room. On the other hand, it crowds things and Beckham has never been one to take a total back seat. He’s a fiery personality and polarizing player, much like Rodgers. That’s part of why they seem to understand each other.
It remains to be seen whether that would — or will — ever translate to the field with both players’ football days winding down.
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