As the Pittsburgh Steelers return to work ahead of Week 3, they’re bringing in some help on the offensive side of the ball.
Per a Tuesday afternoon report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz, general manager Omar Khan is signing wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins. Pittsburgh lands some wideout depth as the early slate of the 2025-26 campaign continues.
Sources: Former Giants WR Isaiah Hodgins is signing with the Steelers,” Schultz’s tweet began. “Some added WR depth for Aaron Rodgers.”
Steelers Adding to WR Room With Signing of Isaiah Hodgins
This reported move marks the fourth stop for Hodgins since entering the league in 2020. The former Oregon State standout has spent time with the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers over the course of his career.
Hodgins debuted in 2021 following an injury-derailed rookie season. The 2022-23 campaign saw him get his first real big break(s), as he played in a pair of games with the Bills but was released. The Giants quickly swooped him up, and he appeared in eight games for the G-Men down the stretch of that season.
New York is hands-down where Hodgins was the most impactful. Appearing in 28 games, he recorded 56 receptions on 77 targets for 593 yards and 7 touchdowns. He played in all 17 regular-season contests in 2023. Hodgins didn’t play a single snap for the 49ers after signing there in January. He was cut at the end of the preseason.
A respectable athletic profile is Hodgins’ calling card. During the pre-draft process in 2020, he measured up at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds. That, combined with an excellent broad jump of over 10 feet and a 4.12-second short shuttle, gave him a 7.52 Relative Athletic Score. Straight-line speed isn’t Hodgins’ forte, as evidenced by his 4.61-second 40-yard dash time. At age 26, Hodgins should be in his athletic prime.
Given his stature, Hodgins is primarily a boundary wideout. According to Pro Football Focus, 81.4% of his career snaps were with him lined up on the outside. He’s occasionally able to work from the slot, too. In 2022, he averaged 1.50 yards per route run, which ranked 44th among 91 receivers with at least 45 regular-season targets.
Updated Look at Pittsburgh’s Receiver Picture
It’s safe to say the Steelers needed some talent and depth at the wideout spot. DK Metcalf is the unquestioned leader of the group, as evidenced by his 7 receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown through two weeks. The offense will go as he goes, and his chemistry with Rodgers seems legit despite it being a work in progress.
Behind Metcalf, there’s a noticeable drop-off in production, floor and upside. Through Week 2’s play, Calvin Austin III (5 catches for 92 yards and a score) is the club’s second receiver. He’s still learning, which the recent loss to the Seattle Seahawks showed.
Behind that duo, both Ben Skowronek (1 catch for 22 yards) and 2024 third-round pick Roman Wilson (1 catch for 7 yards) are supporting pieces. Scotty Miller falls under the same umbrella, but he has yet to record a reception this season.
Out of every player on the practice squad, Rakim Jarrett might be the most intriguing. Once Robert Woods and Lance McCutcheon were released, he entered the fold prior to Week 2. The 24-year-old logged 9 catches for 124 yards a season ago with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
UPDATE: Per the NFL’s daily transaction wire, Jarrett and tight end JJ Galbreath were released from the practice squad. Hodgins was among those listed as hosted for a tryout.
Steelers Adding to WR Room With Week 3 Pickup: Report