When one thinks of the current Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver room, question marks come to mind. There are many rumors swirling around regarding the Steelers’ wide receiver room as we approach training camp and the start of the 2024 season, and one former Steelers player thinks free agent wide receiver Michael Thomas could be a solution to the problem.
At this juncture, the Steelers only return two receivers who recorded stats this past season: George Pickens and Calvin Austin III, Diontae Johnson was shipped off to Carolina and both Allen Robinson II and Miles Boykin have found new homes with the New York Giants.
The Steelers have signed wide receivers Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins, and Scotty Miller to one-year deals and drafted Roman Wilson out of Michigan, with their first third-round selection in this past April’s draft. Jefferson, Watkins, and Miller are low-tier starters in the National Football League. Wilson has the potential to replace the hole Johnson’s departure left in the room, but the lack of quality depth has led to plenty of speculation about the team making an addition to the room.
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Former Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders appeared on “Up & Adams” on Thursday, and said he could see the team signing veteran wide receiver Michael Thomas as a free agent.
Sanders, drafted in the 3rd Round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Steelers, played with them until 2013. He signed with the Denver Broncos in 2014, winning a Super Bowl and earning two Pro Bowl selections during his tenure with the Broncos. Sanders later played for the 49ers (2019), Saints (2020), and Bills (2021) before retiring.
Sanders was asked on the show what his thoughts were regarding the wide out room in Pittsburgh this upcoming season. Sanders responded by giving George Pickens praise on his performance last season but Sanders also questioned if the room was deep enough.
“I was watching George Pickens,” Sanders said. “He had a heck of a year last year but is that receiver room deep enough?”
Sanders went on to endorse the Steelers to acquire Thomas via free agency. Sanders, who was once teammates with Thomas in New Orleans, is a big fan of Thomas’ work ethic and how he prepares.
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“I’ve never met a guy besides myself and Antonio Brown who – even at practice, every single rep – was going full speed. I remember a few times in New Orleans, we had walkthroughs, Mike’s still running full speed at walkthroughs,” Sanders said. “And I’m going full speed and I’m looking at him like you’re crazy and he’s looking at me like I’m crazy.”
In 2019, Thomas set the record for receptions in a season with 149. Bringing in experience like Thomas to a young and upcoming wide receiver room can be extremely beneficial. Could the Steelers add Thomas or could they make a different move to solidify the room heading into 2024?