Needing to handle the extensive receiver place in a significant manner this offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers can have some choices in free company, together with names like Chris Godwin, DeAndre Hopkins and perhaps even Tee Higgins, whom the Steelers know effectively.
There’s one identify that might be the perfect match for the Steelers beneath head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith although. That may be veteran receiver Amari Cooper.
Professional Soccer Focus highlighted the perfect landings spots for quite a lot of key offensive free brokers, and the Steelers had been listed as the perfect spot for Cooper, who has had an up-and-down 2024 season with the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Payments.
“The 30-year-old Cooper can have his fair proportion of suitors on the open market, seemingly groups wanting so as to add high quality veteran management to their receiver room. What higher place to offer that presence than a staff with a historical past of animated receivers like Pittsburgh?” PFF’s Mason Cameron writes. “The Steelers had been actively purchasing for receiving assist on the commerce deadline, with reviews linking them to a number of choices, together with the previous Brown.
“Pairing the even-keeled Cooper with George Pickens can be a prudent transfer to calm the Steelers’ receiver room and break up defensive consideration.”
Although Cooper is getting ready for a matchup within the AFC Championship Recreation in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, his manufacturing since a midseason commerce from the Browns to the Payments hasn’t been what many had been anticipating.
For the reason that Oct. 15 commerce, Cooper has performed in eight video games for the Payments and has simply 20 receptions for 297 yards and two touchdowns. His finest efficiency with Buffalo so far was a six-catch, 95-yard output in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams in an exciting 45-42 recreation in Week 14.
Whereas the manufacturing hasn’t fairly been there, together with a zero-catch efficiency within the AFC Divisional Spherical, Cooper stays a extremely regarded obtain. He ranks No. 7 in PFF’s high 75 free agent rating, and because the third-best WR who may hit the market, behind solely Higgins and Godwin.
Nonetheless, with the Steelers being a staff that wants a reliable No. 1-type WR on the surface, one who can run the total route tree, separate and win persistently, Cooper makes a substantial amount of sense in free company, even when he’ll enter the 2025 season at 31 years previous.
Together with the Steelers being finest touchdown spot for Cooper, Cameron highlighted Steelers QB Justin Fields within the high offensive free agent rankings. He listed the New York Jets as the very best touchdown spot for the previous first-round decide.
The Jets employed former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn for his or her head teaching place Wednesday and are nonetheless in the hunt for a GM. In addition they must decide on the likes of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and extensive receiver Davante Adams.
Fields beforehand acknowledged he’d like to return to the Steelers, and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spoke extremely of him throughout his season-ending press convention.
