Scotty Miller’s Emergence Gives Steelers Brandon Aiyuk Insurance
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Steelers have known they needed to improve their wide receiver room all offseason, and that has included during training camp as they are trying to swing a trade for Brandon Aiyuk. But what happens if the San Francisco 49ers decide the Steelers haven’t offered enough draft capital and hold onto the former Arizona State star?
There are rumblings about the team trying to trade for someone different, but maybe the answer and production are already on the roster. Back in May, the Steelers signed former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Scotty Miller to a one-year deal. When he was mostly considered a depth piece, he has the potential to be more. How might he prove himself to be a viable backup to Aiyuk? Let’s take a look.
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Steelers have the framework of a trade in place that the 49ers have decided is good enough if they want to move on from Aiyuk. But the 49ers are also trying to work out a long-term deal to keep Aiyuk in the Bay Area, though that obviously hasn’t been agreed upon yet. If the two sides can’t work out that long-term deal, he is expected to be traded. Rapoport also believes that the Steelers would be able to work out a long-term contract if a trade happens.
The trade hasn’t happened yet, though, and the Steelers look like they will start the season with what is currently on the roster, including Miller.
Last season, Miller caught only 11 passes for 161 yards with the Falcons, but he has had better seasons. Back in 2020 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miller was a key part of the offense, catching 33 passes for 501 yards and three touchdowns. Miller has worked with Steelers’ offensive coordinator Arthur Smith earlier in his career and is clearly comfortable with his skill set.
Smith said after the first preseason game that he has been impressed with Miller and Van Jefferson have been able to accomplish so far with the Steelers.
#Steelers OC Arthur Smith on WRs Van Jefferson and Scotty Miller.
“Both of those guys played on Super Bowl-winning teams. They’ve got a lot of experience. They’re hungry. They’ve both had excellent camps.” pic.twitter.com/yV44VHK1pE
— Aaron Becker (@Aaron_M_Becker) August 12, 2024
Jefferson looks like he has locked up the second wide receiver spot behind George Pickens, and at this point, Miller looks to have a lead on the third spot. Now, we cannot compare Van Jefferson or Miller to Aiyuk, but those two turning in strong performances makes missing out on Aiyuk not nearly as doom-and-gloom as the situation felt a couple of months ago.
At the beginning of the offseason, it looked like the Steelers desperately needed to make a trade, even if it was only to get another warm body in. The emergence of Miller during training camp and the first preseason game puts the offense in a much better spot.
Pickens now feels comfortable with the wide receiver room and feels the team is in a good position heading into the season, even if a trade doesn’t come to fruition.
“I feel like all the guys [had a plan],” Pickens said. “I feel like as a group, as a total group, I think we did a great job.” Pickens also believes the tight ends are big playmakers who will help Russell Wilson’s (or Justin Fields’) production if he wins the starting job.
“I feel like we’re explosive — the tight ends, too,” Pickens said. “They play a huge role in getting receivers open. I feel we got a nice tight end group with Darnell [Washington], Pat [Freiermuth], and 81 [MyCole Pruitt]. [Pruitt] has kind of been in Art’s offense his whole career. So we kind of have some nice ideas.”
Miller alone isn’t enough to match the production Aiyuk would offer. However, this receiving corps, led by Jefferson and Miller, still can pick up the production to an acceptable level. Last year, Wilson had Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy as his top targets, and from top to bottom, an argument can be made when factoring the tight ends, Wilson has a stronger supporting cast than last year.
The best-case scenario for the Steelers is still landing Aiyuk, which would move Jefferson to WR3 and Miller to WR4, but there is no reason to panic if it doesn’t happen. This offense is still going to come down to how well Wilson performs, regardless of who his receivers are. If that wideout rotation includes Miller, expect him to turn some heads once the seasons starts.
Up Next