The Pittsburgh Steelers may have another veteran wide receiver to consider after the New York Giants released Darius Slayton just before the season opener.
Pittsburgh already views Roman Wilson as its third receiver behind DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., but the team has lived with uncertainty at wideout for years. If the Steelers want more protection before Week 1, Slayton suddenly looks like a real option.
New York moved on from its longest-tenured player, and Slayton was reportedly expected to sit at the bottom of the Giants’ depth chart this season. That raises questions about where his game is right now, but it also opens the door for a receiver-needy team to take a chance on him.
The Steelers had interest in Slayton at the last two trade deadlines, though they were never able to pull off a deal. The 29-year-old has appeared in 106 career games with 78 starts and has totaled 296 catches for 4,435 yards and 22 touchdowns.
His 2024 production was modest. Slayton started 12 games last season, finished with 538 yards and one touchdown, and has not gone over 600 yards since 2023.
Even so, Pittsburgh may not need a headline-grabber. It needs a workable WR3, maybe. In that kind of role, Slayton could fit as a steady veteran who gives the Steelers insurance if Roman Wilson and Germie Bernard don’t pan out.
If Wilson and Bernard do deliver, Slayton becomes unnecessary. If they don’t, Pittsburgh would be glad to have a veteran it can trust during what is Aaron Rodgers’ last season.
The money should not be a major hurdle. Slayton was released with more than $9 million in guaranteed money still attached, so he’ll likely have to settle for a veteran minimum deal and compete for a role. The Steelers have that role available, which could work in their favor.
He is not the ideal answer, but there may not be a perfect one this late in the year. Tyreek Hill would make sense for Pittsburgh if Wilson and Bernard struggle, though that idea feels far-fetched. The market simply does not offer many exciting choices.
If the Steelers want to act before the situation gets messier, Slayton is the kind of move that makes sense. Bringing him in sooner would give him time to learn the offense and be ready if his number gets called. And with Pittsburgh possibly wanting to avoid another season of uncertainty at receiver, the urgency may already be there.
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