NFL rosters are basically a revolving door of "what have you done for me lately." One day you're a priority free agent signing, and the next, you're packing your cleats because a special teams ace or a younger, cheaper project caught the coach's eye. That’s exactly the reality we saw when the Steelers release veteran WR Robert Woods, a move that felt a bit abrupt to fans but made total sense once the behind-the-scenes details started leaking out.
It wasn't just a "you're not good enough" situation. Honestly, it was a lot more nuanced than that.
The Steelers Release Veteran WR Robert Woods: What Went Down
The timeline of this release is pretty wild. Pittsburgh originally brought Woods in during the 2025 offseason on a one-year, $2 million deal. People were hyped. Here was a guy with over 8,000 career receiving yards and a Super Bowl ring coming in to provide some "adult in the room" energy for a wide receiver group that featured guys like Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson. Plus, the chance to catch passes from a veteran like Aaron Rodgers? It felt like a perfect marriage.
But training camp has a funny way of exposing things. Woods, who’s 33 now, found himself buried on the depth chart. He wasn't just losing reps to the superstars; he was getting out-produced by Scotty Miller and even some undrafted guys. By the time final cuts rolled around in late August, the Steelers made the call to let him go.
Then came the twist.
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Instead of bolting for another city, Woods actually signed back onto the Pittsburgh practice squad. For a guy who had made $77 million in his career, grinding on a practice squad seemed bizarre. But according to insiders like Mark Kaboly, Woods just wanted to be part of what Rodgers was building in Pittsburgh. He valued the culture over the paycheck.
Why the Practice Squad Stint Didn't Last
That "honeymoon" on the practice squad lasted about a week. On September 2, 2025, the news broke: the Steelers release veteran WR Robert Woods for the second time, but this time, it was at the player's request.
Ian Rapoport reported that Woods had a change of heart. Essentially, he realized that if he was going to keep putting his body through the meat grinder of an NFL season, he wanted to be on an active 53-man roster. He didn't want to be the "break glass in case of emergency" guy. He wanted to play.
The Steelers, to their credit, didn't play hardball. They respected the veteran's wish and cut him loose so he could find a team that actually needed him on Sundays.
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By the Numbers: Was Robert Woods Still Productive?
To understand why he didn't make the cut, you have to look at the recent tape. Woods earned the nickname "Bobby Trees" for his sturdiness and reliability, but 2024 was rough. While with the Houston Texans, he posted:
- 20 receptions (a career low)
- 203 yards
- 0 touchdowns (the first time in 12 seasons he didn't find the end zone)
During the 2025 preseason with Pittsburgh, things didn't look much better. He played 69 snaps across three games and came away with exactly one catch for six yards. PFF gave him a 47.0 overall grade. When you’re a veteran wideout who doesn't play a ton of special teams, you have to be elite at something else—blocking or reliable hands. Woods' run-blocking grade dipped to a 52.3, which is usually his calling card.
The math just didn't add up for Mike Tomlin. Why keep a declining veteran when you have Roman Wilson or Calvin Austin III who can provide vertical speed?
The "Aaron Rodgers" Factor and Roster Reality
There’s a lot of talk about how much Woods wanted to play with Rodgers. It’s understandable. Rodgers makes everyone look better. But the Steelers' receiver room got crowded fast. When the team moves to include physical specimens like DK Metcalf (who was also in the mix during this 2025/2026 cycle), a technician like Woods becomes a luxury rather than a necessity.
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Pittsburgh needed the roster spot for defensive depth. Specifically, they needed room for linebacker Jon Rhattigan. In the NFL, linebacker depth is often prioritized over a fifth or sixth wide receiver who doesn't contribute on the kick coverage unit.
What This Means for Woods Moving Forward
Is it over for Bobby Trees? Maybe not. Veterans like Robert Woods usually get a call around Week 5 or 6 when the "injury bug" starts hitting contenders.
- Look for teams with young QBs: Woods is essentially a coach on the field. A team like the Bears or Commanders could use a guy who knows exactly where to be on a third-down slant.
- Health is the variable: If he stays in shape, a team with a late-season playoff push will value his Super Bowl experience.
- The "Active Roster" Requirement: Since he explicitly asked off the practice squad, he's made it clear: 53-man roster or bust. He’s at the stage where he doesn't need the money, just the respect of a gameday uniform.
The Steelers release veteran WR Robert Woods might feel like a footnote in a long season, but it's a reminder of how quickly the league moves. One day you're the missing piece; the next, you're a "corresponding move" for a backup linebacker.
If you're tracking the Steelers roster into 2026, keep an eye on how they fill that veteran leadership void. They've already started signing guys like John Rhys Plumlee and Max Hurleman to reserve/future contracts to see if they can find the next diamond in the rough. The Robert Woods era in Pittsburgh was short, weird, and ultimately a "business as usual" move for a front office that doesn't let sentimentality get in the way of a win.
Next Steps for Fans: Check the waiver wire updates every Tuesday. If a contender loses their starting slot receiver, Robert Woods will be the first name on the workout list. Otherwise, we might be looking at the quiet end of a really stellar 13-year career.