Already facing questions about their receiver depth, the Steelers are parting ways with a veteran member of their pass catching corps. Pittsburgh is releasing Quez Watkins, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. 
Watkins played out his rookie contract with the Eagles before making an intra-Pennsylvania move in free agency. The 26-year-old showcased his potential as a deep threat in 2021, averaging 15 yards per catch and totaling 647 yards. He saw his playing time drop in each of the past two seasons, though, making it no surprise he headed elsewhere on the open market.
The 26-year-old inked a one-year pact worth the league minimum to come to Pittsburgh. The contract only contained $168K guaranteed, but Watkins viewed it as a potential path to a starting role. The Steelers’ WR depth chart is led by George Pickens, though the team traded away Diontae Johnson and released Allen Robinson, creating notable vacancies. Instead of filling one of them, Watkins will return to free agency.
As Fowler’s colleague Brooke Pryor notes, the Southern Miss product did not have a strong showing as a punt returner in Pittsburgh’s first preseason game. Strong special teams play would have presented Watkins with a viable path to a roster spot, but he will now have to look elsewhere for a gig. Meanwhile, questions remain with respect to how Pittsburgh will fill out the receiver pecking order behind Pickens.
Of course, the Steelers have long been connected to a receiver addition in general and a pursuit of Brandon Aiyuk in particular. The 49ers All-Pro continues to negotiate an extension, but a trade agreement is in place with Pittsburgh in case those talks break down. Cutdown season has not produced any updates on the Aiyuk front, though, so for the time being the Steelers’ WR room is led by Pickens, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin and third-round rookie Roman Wilson.
Oh sh*%
They like what they saw of Van, Austin and Dez. Almost understandable. And I’m guessing the kid from Michigan impressed them before his injury. But boy, it’d be nice to have a solid number 2 here
Could be Aiyuk….or Metchie…..
Don’t forget Scotty Miller as well. Agree though we need a steady number 2.
Scotty will stay maybe because his speed and experience he’s still young. Idk Steelers WR room isn’t that impressive. Van has to bounce back huge because he did nothing in Atlanta last year but he made some plays during the Covid era for the rams
Guess this means Roman is healthy enough to not start the year on the IR.
He wasn’t very good to begin with so this isn’t that shocking especially after he muffed the punt. His return experience were supposed to help him into the roster
Yes, you’re right. Miller is a pretty solid receiver
And @Sentinel, I liked Metchie at Alabama. To me, he’d be perfect. If fully healthy. As for Aiyuk, I think most Steelers fans gave up on that idea
I wonder if the Texans plan on keeping Metchie now that they have released Noah Brown.
Van Jefferson had a great camp and preseason and basically ran away with the #2 job. Dez Fitzpatrick also earned a spot. Austin and of course Roman Wilson are sticking around because of upside. Watkins simply didn’t do enough.
And they just cut Dez.
But I’m betting that they want Dez back,on the PSthey’re just making the reasonable gamble that he doesn’t get claimed.
The guy was cut because of problems with his play on kickoff and punt returns