The Pittsburgh Steelers have some significant experience leading their offense, and it’s not just Aaron Rodgers bringing up the average age.
Former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Woods, one of the oldest at his position in the NFL, is projected to play a big role in the team’s offense this season. The Steelers made some big changes to their wide receiving corps, parting ways with George Pickens and landing DK Metcalf in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks.
Amid the changes, the steady Woods is predicted to emerge as the No. 2 target for Rodgers in what looks to be a Super-Bowl-or-bust season for the Steelers.
Former Bills Receiver Could Be Key to Pittsburgh’s Success
Though Rodgers had a strong bounceback season after missing all of 2023 with a torn Achilles — completing 63% of his passes for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions — the New York Jets struggled with a depth of talent on offense.
The Steelers have a strong balance between their rushing and passing games, with Woods projected to serve as the No. 2 receiver behind Metcalf. Though Woods has been reliable over his 12 NFL seasons, he suffered a dropoff with the Houston Texans last season, making 20 receptions for 203 yards and no touchdowns.
Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder noted that the Steelers may need to find more help, suggesting the team could trade for Jauan Jennings.
“Robert Woods is projected to be their No. 2 out wide, and Jennings is basically a younger and (at this stage in their careers) better version of Woods,” Holder wrote. “It was reported recently that the current 49er is looking for a new contract or trade out of San Francisco as he’s coming off his best NFL season with 77 catches, 975 yards and six touchdowns, all of which were career highs.”
Woods started his career with the Bills in 2013, making 203 receptions for 2,451 yards with 12 touchdowns in 57 games in Buffalo.
Bills Have Emerging Star in Wide Receiving Corps
The Bills have undergone some major changes in their wide receiving corps as well, parting ways with both of their top receivers last year by trading Stefon Diggs and allowing Gabe Davis to leave in free agency. The team instead adopted what they called an “everybody eats” approach of spreading around the targets, though Khalil Shakir emerged as the top target for quarterback Josh Allen.
The Bills rewarded Shakir with a four-year contract extension in February, earning some big praise from Bills general manager Brandon Beane.
“You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone — fans, players — anyone in our building to say anything negative about Khalil and what he’s brought,” Beane said at the NFL Scouting Combine, via NFL.com. “The guy is a true lunch pail Buffalonian. I mean, I know he’s not from Buffalo but he doesn’t say anything, he just shows up everyday. He’s Mr. Dependable, and when the ball comes his way he usually comes down with it.”
After steadily increasing his input over the first three seasons of his career, culminating in 2024 with 76 receptions for 821 yards and four touchdowns, Shakir is seen as a popular breakout candidate for the coming season.
Ex-Bills Receiver Projected to Play Big Role for Aaron Rodgers