Steelers, 49ers named top landing spots for 3-time Pro Bowl receiver originally appeared on The Sporting News

The Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers could be in the market for a wide receiver ahead of the 2025 NFL season, and both teams have been connected to a multiple-time Pro Bowler on the free agency market.

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CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin lists Pittsburgh and San Francisco as potential landing spots for free-agent receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

There might not be a team more desperate for proven receiver help than the 49ers. A healthy Christian McCaffrey would certainly help Kyle Shanahan and Brock Purdy weather the absence of the recovering Brandon Aiyuk, whose 2024 ACL tear could keep him sidelined for the first month of the season.

The Steelers have DK Metcalf as a bona fide No. 1 wideout for Aaron Rodgers, but all indications are they’re open to as many additional weapons as they can lure in, even after stockpiling tight end with Jonnu Smith. Beckham may not be the standout he once was, but he’s also been on Rodgers’ radar for years.

Beckham last played in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins in 2024. The 32-year-old appeared in eight games with Miami before being released in December in a move that was dubbed mutual between both sides.

Though he was an electric playmaker at the beginning of his career, Beckham is no longer a viable starting receiver. The former first-round pick of the New York Giants hasn’t posted more than 565 yards in a season since 2019.

However, Beckham can still provide solid depth in any receiving room and could flourish as a complementary piece. The three-time Pro Bowler had some success with the Baltimore Ravens in that role in 2023.

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The 49ers desperately need to add another capable receiving threat to the roster. Brandon Aiyuk is still recovering from a torn ACL and MCL that cut his 2024 season short and isn’t expected to return until Week 6 of the 2025 season.

Outside of Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings is the only other established player in the receiver room for San Francisco, and he’s seeking a new contract.

Signing Beckham to a cheap deal would make sense for the 49ers, though he wouldn’t be able to replace Aiyuk’s production to start the season. Still, San Francisco needs all the help they can get on the perimeter for quarterback Brock Purdy, so Beckham would be a logical target.

Since trading away George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, the Steelers have been looking for a No.2 receiver to pair with DK Metcalf, whom they acquired in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks this offseason.

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Beckham likely wouldn’t be able to carry the load of a WR2 at this stage of his career, but the 2021 Super Bowl champion would still be a nice addition to a position group that lacks excitement in Pittsburgh.

It also sounds like Beckham and the Steelers have had conversations about a potential partnership. During a podcast appearance in June, Beckham said that he’s had conversations with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and isn’t ruling out the possibility of playing in Pittsburgh this season.

MORE:Odell Beckham Jr. has no shortage of connections with Pittsburgh Steelers