AFC team the Pittsburgh Steelers contacts $96 million free agent wide receiver Michael Thomas who could sign a contract imminently. According to reports, the Steelers have been in contact with the veteran wideout to be a possible replacement for Diontae Johnson. Pittsburgh hasn’t had any luck this offseason finding their next receiver in the free-agent market. However, they were busy trying to make a big splash trade this past NFL Draft by making an offer to San Francisco for Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk.
However, the 49ers aren’t looking to trade either of their star receivers to any team. This doesn’t mean the Steelers won’t get somebody else in the thin market of available wideouts. The Steelers aren’t content with their wide receiver room and Thomas is the best available. Any help would be sufficient for Pittsburgh right now as they already missed on out plenty of available receivers.
The likes of Courtland Sutton or Treylon Burks may be in the mix, but Thomas’ addition wouldn’t be a loss for both sides. However, they’ll likely give Thomas a one-year deal to see what he has left to provide an offense that’s been changing. Thomas had some upside in his career after a tremendous stretch in 2018 and 2019 where he was a two-time All-Pro. His 149 receptions in 2019 make him the NFL record-holder for the most receptions in a single season.
The 2019 Offensive Player of the Year isn’t the same player he was. However, he could still bring a lot to a struggling offense if one needs it. The Steelers look to be desperate as training camp is next month and Russell Wilson is without a WR1. They need someone to help George Pickens on the opposite side.
AFC Team Pittsburgh Steelers Contacts $96 Million Free Agent Michael Thomas, Could Sign Imminently
How He Fits
As of now, the Steelers don’t have a proven receiver to fill the shoes of Johnson. This would leave most of the work to Pickens while they still have some other wideouts. A platoon of Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller, Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins will be counted on to be the temporary replacement. However, they need a reliable starter to take over the receiving corps next to Pickens for a few years.
Thomas is the replacement to fill that hole if the Steelers aren’t looking to spend too much money. His injury history and lack of production could give the team the leverage to give him a cheap deal. However, one can wonder what he has left still to provide for a team being that he hasn’t been able to stay healthy. They need someone to help Pickens since he’s in line to his first 1,000-yard season but the outside options are limited.
The Steelers would want to avoid having one receiver carrying the weight. However, the additions of the new receivers for Pittsburgh this offseason could help but that seems unlikely. Some still believe the Steelers could trade for a big-time but don’t count out a free-agent addition. Here are some potential destinations for Thomas if he doesn’t end up in Pittsburgh.
Potential Destinations
The Ravens need all the offensive firepower they need to be atop as AFC champions to dethrone the Chiefs. They’ll only do this if they add one more receiver to help Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. Baltimore was able to rely on Mark Andrews and Flowers for most of the season after a disappointing campaign from Bateman. They need extra receiver support to help Bateman’s downfall despite his contract extension with the team.
Everyone can assume that Rashee Rice won’t be around the team for a while so this leaves the Chiefs receiver-less. The wideout picture still looks bright led by Marquise Brown but they need extra support if they want to have long-term success. Xavier Worthy is the next best man but he’s also in his first year with Kansas City. This means they could use a signing on a low-stakes experienced receiver like Thomas.
However, it sounds like the Chargers are bringing about just any receiver thrown out there for Justin Herbert. They still need a legit experienced receiver after losing Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. Los Angeles can put the band-aid together all they want but it probably won’t cover the wound for long.
