When the Pittsburgh Steelerstraded for Michael Pittman Jr., they finally gained some stability in the wide receiver room. After underwhelming production from the position in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, general manager Omar Khan needed a proven veteran. Pittman more than fit that bill. His contract seemed a bit much at first, but the Steelers worked out a new deal. Adding Germie Bernard in the NFL Draft gave the Steelers a much better position group. Not everyone liked the move, however, as ESPN gave the Pittman trade a less than favorable outlook.
NFL analyst and writer Seth Walder praised the Steelers for drafting Bernard but gave a surprising review of Pittman's acquisition.
"The Pittman trade was a mistake, though. He has $24 million due in 2026, which is more than I think he would receive on the open market. Why pay Pittman $24 million when Wan'Dale Robinson made $17.5 million per year as a free agent? In essence, the Steelers traded a late-round pick swap for a negative value contract," Walder wrote.
Walder makes a lot of good points about the Steelers' offseason in his analysis. His analysis of Pittman missed the mark, however. Pittman may not be a grand slam, but he is exactly what the Steelers needed.
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Pittman's Deal Is Better Than It Appears
Walder compares Pittman's deal to Robinson's in his analysis of the trade, and his reasoning seems to make sense at first glance. However, a closer look reveals the flaw: Pittman is a much more consistent and productive receiver. The Indianapolis Colts relied on him as a WR1, and he'll almost certainly thrive as a Steelers WR2. Both Robinson and Pittman dealt with a lot of quarterback instability, yet Pittman still produced well in a run-heavy Colts offense. His ability to get open hasn't vanished, and he still has excellent hands.
Walder also seems to forget that the Steelers reworked Pittman's deal. The trade essentially netted Pittman a three-year, $59 million contract. At a hair over $19 million per year, landing Pittman is a win. His production and his stabilizing presence in the receiver room are well worth the extra $2 million per year.
Sure, the late-round pick swap was what it was. However, Walder doesn't even begin to account for Pittman's fit in the receiver room.
Pittman Stabilizes the Receiver Group and Complements DK Metcalf
Pittman gives the Steelers another veteran to help develop three young wide receivers. Bernard, Roman Wilson, and Kaden Wetjen now have two veterans to learn from and develop under. Pittman isn't a blazing-fast receiver, but he creates excellent separation and brings strong veteran experience. He has also worked with a number of veteran quarterbacks, which should help him mesh well with Aaron Rodgers while showing the young receivers the ropes.
Pittman also complements DK Metcalf well. Both are bigger receivers who can stretch the field, but Metcalf's strength lies in yards after the catch, while Pittman's lies in getting open and being a reliable target. It may not be a Ja'Marr Chase-and-Tee Higgins-type duo, but calling the Pittman trade a mistake is simply uninformed. If anything, it was a much-needed move. Pittman is a proven commodity and a reliable receiver, exactly what the Steelers need at WR2. Time will tell how it all pans out.
