Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Send a singer message to Jacksonville Jaguars

Entering the summer, wide receiver Allen Robinson was about as safe a bet as any around the league as a cut candidate for the For the Steelers in 2023, Robinson caught 34 catches for a mere 280 yards; his release would save the organization $10 million.

However, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, the Steelers are open to Robinson returning provided he accepts a smaller salary cost.

“The Steelers would prefer to retain Robinson at a reduced salary, but he is a potential cut candidate due to his cap number exceeding $10 million,” Meirov wrote. “In Indianapolis, team representatives met with Robinson’s representative.”

The Steelers acquired Robinson from the Los Angeles Rams last April. In the deal, the Steelers and Rams exchanged 2023 seventh-round picks.

Why the Steelers Could Bring Back WR Allen Robinson

Robinson began his NFL career as a big playmaker with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears.

He made the Pro Bowl in 2015 while leading the league with 14 touchdowns. Robinson posted 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2015, 2019 and 2020.

With the Jaguars, he also averaged 14.1 yards per reception.

Robinson stopped being a big-play machine three years ago. He’s averaged under 11 yards per reception in each of the past three seasons. With the Steelers, he registered a measly 8.2 yards per catch.

But according to the Pro Football Focus player grades, Robinson was an above average blocker in 2023. With the Rams during 2022, Robinson scored blocking grades above 67 (out of 100).

The Steelers established themselves as a run-first offense again at the end of last season. They’d probably like that to continue under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith in 2024.

So, Robinson could have value as a blocker in the slot. But, not for an $11.9 million cap hit.

To have Robinson on the roster at a lower cost, though, the veteran will have to accept a major pay cut. The Steelers could release Robinson and only receive a $1.9 million hit in dead cap space.

Changes that the Steelers wide receiver room could see
Robinson is not the only wide receiver for the Steelers who has been the subject of offseason speculation.

On March 3, Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda stated that, for the proper price, the Steelers are prepared to trade with wide receiver Diontae Johnson.

Although it’s unfair to suggest Johnson is up for trade, a few sources inform me the Steelers are willing to trade the receiver for a suitable return, Pauline wrote.

He did not go into detail on what “fair compensation” may entail.

Johnson, like Robinson, has a contract that runs through 2024, although it expires the next year. Since Johnson is still in his prime, the Steelers should be interested in offering him a contract extension this offseason. Johnson wouldn’t be a lame duck by 2024 if that happened.

Regarding the progress the organization has made or has not made in contract discussions with Johnson at the NFL combine, general manager of the Steelers Omar Khan declined to say.

Johnson’s cap hit is expected to be $15.8 million

However, the Steelers would have to replace a lot more production departing with Johnson than with Robinson.

Johnson has posted 391 receptions, 4,363 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns in 77 career NFL games. Last season, he had 51 catches, 717 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns.