Whether by a complete quarterback-room makeover by signing Russell Wilson and trading for Justin Fields, or selecting three offensive linemen to keep their quarterbacks upright in new coordinator Arthur Smith’s scheme, it’s a new era for the Steelers’ offense.
However, for as dynamic as George Pickens is at stretching the field, the receiver corps could still use an upgrade.
Deebo Samuel has been a subject of consistent trade rumors throughout the offseason and could be an ideal fit for the Steelers.
Could Pittsburgh Steelers Pry 49ers Playmaker Deebo Samuel?
If the Steelers are serious about adding a dynamic presence to the receiving corps, there are few more electrifying playmakers available than 49ers star Deebo Samuel.
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport put together a list of the top receivers the Steelers should target, including Samuel.
“Since surpassing 1,400 receiving yards in 2021, he hasn’t had even 900 receiving yards in a season,” Davenport writes for B/R. “With Christian McCaffrey now in the Bay Area, Samuel’s role as a runner has diminished significantly.
“When Samuel was at his best, he wasn’t really a traditional receiver. And while he would improve the Steelers’ WR corps, the fit in the Steel City would be iffy.”
There’s a legitimate possibility that a trade to the Steelers, where offensive coordinator Arthur Smith could deploy him as a runner — as the 49ers more frequently did prior to McCaffrey’s arrival, and as a dynamic deep-threat opposite George Pickens, could spark a renaissance for Samuel.
Here’s the trade that Davenport proposes:
San Francisco Gets: 2025 Round 2 Pick, 2026 Round 4 Pick
Pittsburgh Gets: Samuel, 2025 Round 6 Pick
Through his first five seasons, Samuel has produced 4,122 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns while rushing for 1,007 yards and 19 more scores.
Parting ways with a second-round pick could be a difficult pill to swallow, for the Steelers, especially if Pittsburgh has any lingering questions about Wilson and/or Fields’ future in the Iron City.
However, there are few players capable of making Samuel’s impact on a game or an offense which could help close the gap on the likes of the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North.
