NFL News: The WR wanted by Mike Tomlin, Steelers with Deebo Samuel, Tee Higgins off the table

While the quarterback situation remains the biggest thing to watch, Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers also look determined to add a star wide receiver for the 2025 NFL season. Deebo Samuel and Tee Higgins, however, are already off the table.

While the former was recently traded from the San Francisco 49ers to the Washington Commanders, the latter got the franchise tag by the Cincinnati Bengals, who plan to sign him to a long-term contract extension.

Therefore, Tomlin and company are reportedly switching their attention to another wide receiver who is hitting free agency. According to Sports Illustrated, the Steelers will keep an eye on Darius Slayton this offseason.

“So far, they’ve watched Tee Higgins, Christian Kirk and Deebo Samuel get taken off the board, leaving them with limited options heading into free agency. But one name may stand tall at the top of their list. … Former New York Giants wideout Darius Slayton may be their favorite, though,” wrote Noah Strackbein of Steelers On SI. “According to a source close to the situation, the Steelers are expected to have interest in Slayton in free agency.”

Darius Slayton #86 of the New York Giants speaks to the media during OTA Offseason Workouts at NY Giants Quest Diagnostics Training Center on May 30, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Tomlin’s Steelers eye Slayton with Samuel, Higgins ruled out

Slayton, 28, is expected to draw interest from around the NFL in the open market as his deal with the New York Giants expires. Even if his numbers in the 2024 season were far from impressive.

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The wideout was limited to just 573 yards and two touchdowns last year, though his low production was attributed to a struggling Giants offense that parted with quarterback Daniel Jones halfway through the campaign.

Selected in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Auburn, Slayton has only played for the Giants in this league so far. However, the team’s lack of success could see the player seek a change of scenery this summer.

The Steelers had already been linked to Slayton before the 2024 trade deadline, but the Giants refused to let him go. With the player now becoming a free agent, Tomlin could get the wideout he wants to boost a WR room led by George Pickens.

Tomlin, Steelers have a QB to choose

In the meantime, Pittsburgh has a big decision to make at quarterback. With both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields about to enter free agency, the Steelers are expected to keep only one of them. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, chances are that the former Chicago Bears quarterback will gain the upper hand:

“As of right now, based on my understanding, Justin Fields is more likely to be the starting quarterback of the Steelers than Russell Wilson,” Rapoport said on Tuesday.