If the Pittsburgh Steelers are pursuing available wide receivers, the pursuit will continue with another potential target, wideout Javon Baker, off the market.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported Friday morning the Philadelphia Eagles signed Baker to their practice squad. Baker chose the Eagles after “mulling multiple options.
It’s not clear if the Steelers were one of those other options. But Steelers Now’s Aaron Becker was critical of the team missing on the opportunity to add Becker.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers’ search for another wide receiver continues as yet another playmaker has slipped between their fingers,” wrote Becker.
Baker could have been an intriguing addition for the wide receiver-needy Steelers, who need another option at outside receiver other than DK Metcalf.
“Baker would have fit the bill, standing at 6-foot-1, 202 pounds. While he doesn’t have the production in the NFL quite yet, he did in college.
The New England Patriots drafted Baker at No. 110 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. During his rookie season, he caught just one pass for 12 yards.
Because he’s just 23 years old, though, multiple writers at Steelers Now saw Baker as a potential Pittsburgh target after his release this week.
“While Baker did not make a big impression as a receiver, he was an active member of the New England special teams units. He returned three kickoffs for 79 yards and also played on kick cover and punt return teams,” wrote Steelers Now’s Alan Saunders.
“Baker had above-average athletic testing results in the pre-draft process, running a 4.54-second 40-yard dash and posting an impressive 37-inch vertical jump.”
Steelers Also Missed on QB Marquez Valdes-Scantling
More than anything, the timing of Baker signing with the Eagles created bad optics for the Steelers. That might be the biggest reason why the team received criticism for the perceived “missed” opportunity.
The Steelers not signing Baker came two days after the team didn’t land veteran wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov reported Wednesday that Valdes-Scantling chose to sign with the San Francisco 49ers instead of the Steelers.
The veteran wideout told reporters Thursday that Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers tried to recruit him. But Valdes-Scantling chose the 49ers instead because of the fit.
“There’s a lot of carryover with the system,” Valdes-Scantling said, via The Athletic’s Matt Barrows. “Being able to come in right away and not have to learn a whole new system.”
Valdes-Scantling would have moved the needle for the Steelers more than Baker. But missing on the former Patriots wideout right after the Valdes-Scantling decision appeared to be the source of Becker’s displeasure.
Receiver has been a need in Pittsburgh for quite some time. The Steelers appeared to fill that void with DK Metcalf in March. But then the team created another hole with the George Pickens trade in May.
WR Javon Baker Signs With Philadelphia Eagles
Whether or not the Steelers were interested, Baker is heading to the Eagles.
The Eagles already have a full practice squad, so they will have to release someone from the squad to add Baker. Philadelphia has receivers Terrace Marshall, Britain Covey and Elijah Cooks already on the practice squad.
The Steelers have five wide receivers on their 53-man roster. On the practice squad, Pittsburgh has wideouts Robert Woods and Ke’Shawn Williams.
Baker began his college career at Alabama but caught just nine passes in two seasons. He transferred to UCF, where he became a Big 12 star.
During 2023, he posted 52 catches for 1,139 receiving yards. Baker led the conference with a 21.9 yards per reception average.
Steelers Receive Criticism After Missing on Another WR Signing