Trey Palmer is of interest to the Steelers, and the news isn’t too surprising to those of us who closely follow the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ roster moves. The young receiver, known for his explosive speed and 39 receptions as a rookie in 2023, appears to have lost prominence in an increasingly competitive receiver room in Tampa.
With the continuity of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin assured, and the arrival of Emeka Egbuka (first round of the 2025 Draft) and Jalen McMillan (selected in 2024), Palmer’s room for maneuver on the final roster is increasingly narrow.
Why Pittsburgh?
According to Steelers Now, the Steelers have shown real interest in Trey Palmer. After trading George Pickens and signing veteran Robert Woods, Pittsburgh’s offense is looking to revamp its receiving corps. Although they signed DK Metcalf, their offense still needs speed and youth. Palmer offers just that: youth (he just turned 24) and a 4.33 40-yard dash that still impresses.
His college career, with over 1,000 yards and 9 touchdowns at Nebraska, and experience as a returner on special teams, give him an attractive profile for offensively rebuilding teams like the Steelers.
Would it fit into Arthur Smith’s system?
Here comes the sticking point. Arthur Smith, Pittsburgh’s new offensive coordinator, is known for his conservative, run-first approach. The same approach buried Scotty Miller (another former Buc) at the bottom of the depth chart in Atlanta. Smith also hasn’t been particularly effective developing vertical passing games, which could limit Palmer’s impact.
However, for an offense that only surpassed 20 points in seven games last season, any spark of dynamism is welcome.
Should the Bucs trade him?
Trey Palmer is of interest to the Steelers, but are the Bucs interested in getting rid of him? It’s an open question. In his second year, he was practically invisible and didn’t excel as a returner. But on a team where injuries can always disrupt the rotation, parting with a young, fast player can be a luxury.
At GoBucs.es, we know Tampa values speed and versatility. While Palmer hasn’t quite meshed with Baker Mayfield, it wouldn’t be unreasonable for him to find chemistry with another QB… or to resurface if he stays and fights for his spot in the preseason.
🏴☠️Subscribe and join the crew!
If you don’t want to miss any news about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers preseason:
📺 Subscribe to our Twitch channel and watch all the content live: https://www.twitch.tv/canonesyfootball
🤝 Become a member of the Cañones y Football community and access exclusive content: Join here
💬 Join our Discord and connect with other Buccaneers: GoBucs Discord. The Grog Tavern, where the crew members debate every play and every game. We’ll be waiting for you with a virtual grog! 🏴☠️🔥
Make sure you follow Alf on social media by clicking here!
Then check out his website for the best Buccaneers content for our Spanish speaking fans by clicking the logo below, or clicking here!
Follow, Like and Subscribe to Bucs Report
BucsReport.com