Is Steve Breaston an option for the Steelers at WR?
By Matt Shetler
It’s no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers are paper thin at wide receiver, especially with the assumed departure of unrestricted free agent Mike Wallace.
While it is extremely doubtful that the Steelers will be able to spend the necessary money to replace Wallace through free agency, they will likely attempt to do so very cheaply and could target a local product.
August 18, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Steve Breaston (15) looks on in the second half against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Woodland Hills native Steve Breaston, who was recently released by the Kansas City Chiefs, has expressed interest in signing with the Steelers if the opportunity presents itself.
The Tribune-Review’s Mark Kaboly reports that Breaston would love to sign with the Steelers, but more importantly wants to sign with an organization that will allow him to play, something that he rarely got the opportunity to do while in Kansas City.
He was inactive for six of Kansas City’s final seven games only a year after following Todd Haley from Arizona by signing a 5-year, $22.5 million contract with $9.5 million guaranteed. Breaston played a grand total of only 10 snaps after a Week 11 game against Cincinnati.
"“Sure, signing with the Steelers is something to think about,” Breaston told Kaboly. “But more important, I just want to have an opportunity to play and get on the field and get back to winning games and help contribute to that.”“I know of the Pittsburgh tradition and the winning ways and it would be a great team to be involved with, but for me, it is all about using this process,” Breaston said. “I have to take everything in and see what would be a good fit for me and where I can come in and play.”"
Breaston is coming off of a pair of extremely disappointing seasons after signing the big contract with the Chiefs.
However, in the four seasons before 2012, Breaston caught at least 47 passes and recorded at least 712 yards every year. In 2008 his second season in the NFL, Breaston caught 77 passes for 1,006 yards and three touchdowns — his best year as a pro.
That happened to come with Todd Haley as the Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator.
I’m sure the Steelers will have some mild interest in Breaston, but it would have to come at a very cheap price. There is still a risk signing a guy that hasn’t been very productive the past couple of seasons.
But in trying to replace Wallace, I’m sure names like Breaston are ones the Steelers will be stuck considering.