The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason has felt like a high-stakes poker game at a Vegas showdown. First, they pushed all-in for DK Metcalf. Then, they folded George Pickens to Dallas. Now, whispers of a Steelers’ Chris Olave trade ripple through the NFL like a halftime Hail Mary rumor. It’s the kind of drama that’d make John Elway’s helicopter play blush. But here’s the twist. Pittsburgh isn’t just collecting receivers—they’re crafting a siren song for a certain four-time MVP.
On Friday, Pittsburgh’s 93.7 The Fan host Adam Crowley dropped a bombshell. “To be clear. I had someone who would be in the know text me ‘Chris Olave,’” he tweeted. Suddenly, Steelers Nation erupted like a tailgate grill flipping burgers too fast. Olave, the Saints’ 24-year-old deep threat, fits Pittsburgh’s aggressive reload. But why chase another receiver? Simple: This isn’t just about catches. It’s about sending a message to Aaron Rodgers—a quarterback still weighing his future—that the Steel City is all-in.
Steelers’ Chris Olave Trade: High Risk, Higher Reward?
Pittsburgh’s front office isn’t shy. After landing Metcalf and dumping Pickens, their WR room feels thinner than a rookie’s playbook knowledge. Robert Woods, 33, isn’t a long-term answer. Enter Olave: a two-time 1,000-yard receiver whose 2024 season derailed after eight games due to concussions. “Chris is a phenomenal player,” Saints coach Kellen Moore said in March. “He’s going to have a huge impact [again].” But New Orleans isn’t eager to deal. League sources say a second-round pick might pry him loose—if the Saints budge.
For Pittsburgh, the gamble is clear. Olave’s health? Scarier than a blindside blitz. His upside? As tantalizing as Rodgers’ no-look passes. Pairing him with Metcalf would give the Steelers a duo faster than a Daytona 500 finish. However, without a proven QB, does it matter? Will Howard and Mason Rudolph hardly strike fear. But imagine Rodgers, lured by elite weapons, finally choosing black and gold. Suddenly, the math works.
To be clear. I had someone who would be in the know text me “Chris Olave.” https://t.co/QQx3vafxVp
— Adam Crowley (@_adamcrowley) May 16, 2025
Why the Steelers’ Chris Olave Gamble Could Redefine Their Offense
History favors the bold. Pittsburgh’s 1970s dynasty wasn’t built on caution. Trading for Olave channels that same swagger. His 13.8-yard average depth of target (ADOT) screams vertical threat—a perfect complement to Metcalf’s physicality. “Trying. Interested. But not close,” tweeted Kevin Adams of Barstool Sports, capturing the tense stalemate. New Orleans holds leverage, but the Steelers have desperation. Their window? Ticking louder than a two-minute drill.
Meanwhile, Rodgers remains the elephant in the room. At 41, he’s the missing puzzle piece. Without him, Pittsburgh’s receiver splurge feels like buying a Corvette without an engine. But with him? Suddenly, the AFC North becomes a three-team race. The Steelers’ Week 1 matchup against Rodgers’ former Jets? A Hollywood script waiting to happen.
As the rumor mill churns, one truth emerges: Pittsburgh’s playing chess while others play checkers. Whether Olave dons black and yellow hinges on guts, draft capital, and Rodgers’ decision. In the words of Friday Night Lights’ Coach Taylor, “Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.” But in the NFL, even clear-eyed gambles falter. Will the Steelers’ bet pay off—or crash harder than a rookie QB’s debut?
Miain Photo: Bob Donnan – Imagn Images
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