After not signing a wide receiver in free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers instead are on the verge of trading for one.
According to national reports, the Steelers are in negotiations with the Los Angeles Rams on a trade for veteran receiver Allen Robinson. A trade is contingent on Robinson passing a physical, and the Rams reportedly have given the Steelers permission to examine the 29-year-old former second-round pick from Penn State on Wednesday.
Steelers are bringing Rams WR Allen Robinson for a physical and if he passes, a trade to Pittsburgh is expected to happen, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 18, 2023
ESPN reported that the Steelers and Rams would swap seventh-round picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, with the Steelers sending the Rams the No. 234 overall pick and getting the No. 251 choice in return.
Robinson already has collected a $5.25 million roster bonus from the Rams and has a $10 million base salary. The Steelers and Rams each would pay $5 million to Robinson this season.
The Steelers are a little more than $10 million under the salarycap, according to the NFL players’ association’s database.
Robinson signed a three-year, $46.5 million contract with the Rams before the 2022 season. Then, he was limited to 10 games and 33 catches because of a foot injury.
In 2024, Robinson is scheduled to earn $10 million and collect a $5.75 million roster bonus on the fifth day of the league year. He carries a cap hit of $18.55 million for 2024 and a dead cap figure of $8.4 million.
The Steelers are finalizing a deal to acquire WR Allen Robinson from the Rams, pending physical. (via @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/1RjfngX2Mr
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) April 18, 2023
Robinson would give the Steelers a veteran presence in the locker room and a third option behind starters Diontae Johnson and George Pickens for second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett. Chase Claypool was the No. 3 receiver on the roster last season until the Steelers traded him to the Chicago Bears at mid-season.
Steven Sims took over Claypool’s role the rest of the way, but the Steelers did not tender him an offer in March, and he signed with the Houston Texans. Another veteran, Miles Boykin, who primarily played special teams, also remains a free agent.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Robinson has played for Jacksonville, Chicago and the Rams during his nine NFL seasons. His most productive season was 2015, his second in Jacksonville, when he caught 80 passes for 1,400 yards and an NFL-best 14 touchdown receptions. He made his only Pro Bowl appearance that season.
Robinson had 98 catches for 1,147 yards and seven touchdowns for the Bears in 2019, and he followed up with 102 catches for 1,250 yards and six scores in 2020.
For his career, Robinson has 528 catches for 6,748 yards and 43 touchdowns. Last year, though, he totaled just 33 catches for 339 yards and three scores. He missed the final seven games of the season because of his foot ailment.
The trade, once completed, will continue a busy first full offseason for general manager Omar Khan.
Since the new league year began a month ago, Khan has:
• Re-signed defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi, safety Damontae Kazee and backup tight end Zach Gentry.
• Brought in free agents Isaac Seumalo, Nate Herbig and Le’Raven Clark on the offensive live, Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts at inside linebacker, Patrick Peterson at cornerback, Keanu Neal and Tanner Muse at safety and Breiden Fehoko and Armon Watts on the defensive line.
Khan also holds the Nos. 17, 32, 49 and 80 picks in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft.
