The Steelers are preparing for their Week 1 matchup against the New York Jets and expectations are high around Pittsburgh this season.
The matchup against the Jets will be interesting, as Aaron Rodgers and Justin Fields are both playing against their former teams. Rodgers of course signed with the Steelers this offseason after spending two seasons with the Jets, while Fields latched on with the Jets after one season with the Steelers.
Other than Rodgers, the biggest addition the Steelers made this offseason was star wide receiver D.K. Metcalf. The team has needed a true No. 1 receiver for years now, and Metcalf should fill that role.
However, there still isn’t much proven talent behind Metcalf. As a result, Richie Bradshaw of Sports Illustrated has the Steelers adding one of the top projected receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Bradshaw has the Steelers earning the No. 14 pick and selecting Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson. Regarding that selection, Bradshaw offered the following:
DK Metcalf is the only proven wide receiver on this team by a long shot, and there isn’t much else to write home about aside from him. Metcalf is at his best with someone working underneath, and that’s what Pittsburgh is adding with Tyson.
The Arizona State standout dominated college football last year, pacing the nation in yards from mid-October through the end of the regular season. Tyson has impressive speed, but he’s developed great route-running skills to separate him from defenders. A comparison has been made of Tyson to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and that feels perfect.
As Bradshaw mentioned, the Steelers need another proven receiver and Tyson could be exactly that.
In 2024, Tyson exploded onto the scene with 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. The receiver was a key reason why the Sun Devils were able to surprisingly win the Big 12 and make the College Football Playoff.
The receiver began his college career at Colorado in 2022. As a true freshman, Tyson caught 22 passes for 470 yards and four touchdowns, and also returned four punts and two kicks, showing his versatility.
In Pittsburgh, Tyson could start alongside Metcalf and either Roman Wilson or Calvin Austin III, depending on which one stands out in 2025.
Of course, many will likely expect the Steelers to be in the market for a quarterback in the 2026 draft. Rodgers has admitted 2025 will likely be his final season, and the team doesn’t appear to have a surefire future passer on the roster.
However, it’s entirely possible that the Steelers could take a quarterback later in the draft or perhaps trade or sign one in free agency next offseason. There’s also the possibility that 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard is able to impress enough to earn the job. No matter who the quarterback is, though, the supporting cast needs to be upgraded and Tyson does that.
