Former All-Pro WR Visiting Steelers on Wednesday — Hours After Titans Grant His Release
Pittsburgh, PA – October 21, 2025 — In a dramatic twist to the 2025 NFL season, All-Pro wide receiver Tyler Lockett — a Seattle Seahawks legend with 9,000+ receiving yards and 55 touchdowns — is set to visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday (Oct. 22), just hours after officially becoming a free agent. The Tennessee Titans accepted Lockett’s request for release on Monday (Oct. 20), clearing the way for the former Pro Bowler to chase a new Super Bowl run. With a strong personal connection to former teammate D.K. Metcalf (now in Pittsburgh), the visit is igniting optimism for a Black and Gold offense hungry for depth.
Lockett, 33, signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Titans in April 2025 but requested a departure after a quiet start (10 receptions, 70 yards across seven games, one start, no touchdowns). With Tennessee struggling on offense under rookie QB Cam Ward, the Titans agreed to the release, absorbing a dead-cap hit to move on. Lockett becomes eligible to sign after 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, and Pittsburgh is his first scheduled stop.
Veteran WR Tyler Lockett has asked for and received his release from the Tennessee Titans, per source. Lockett is expected to be free to sign with another team after 4 pm ET Wednesday.
pic.twitter.com/GpDxmoOe3U — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 20, 2025
Per multiple outlets, the Steelers — currently 22nd in passing yards and seeking a steady complement to Metcalf (500+ yards already this year) — view Lockett as a “perfect fit.” Across 10 seasons in Seattle (3x Second-Team All-Pro; 1x First-Team All-Pro as a punt returner), he brings elite route-running, contested-catch skill, and veteran leadership for youngsters like Roman Wilson. Head coach Mike Tomlin is expected to host a private workout at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Wednesday afternoon, where Lockett may reunite on-field with Metcalf — a duo that combined for over 2,000 yards in 2023.
Lockett has said he wants “one to two more years to chase a ring.” Armed with business acumen from Kansas State and a robust philanthropic profile, he’s not just chasing numbers — he’s chasing impact. Wednesday’s visit isn’t just a workout; it’s a chance to reignite the spark from his All-Pro peak (1,054 yards, 10 TDs in 2020). Should he sign, a Week 8 debut against the Jets is on the table, instantly raising the floor — and ceiling — of Pittsburgh’s passing attack in the AFC North.
From third-round “steal” in 2015 to this week’s hottest free agent, Lockett’s story is persistence personified. Is Pittsburgh the final chapter? We’ll find out Wednesday — when one star could light up the Steel City again.
VIDEOS: Josh Allen Defends Lions' Brian Branch, Slams Chiefs and NFL After NFL Films' "Hit Piece" Video - Bills Stand Up for Justice
Buffalo, October 18, 2025 – In the wake of the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory over the Detroit Lions on October 12, 2025, a controversial video posted by NFL Films on X stirred outrage by targeting Lions safety Brian Branch. The clip, part of a promotional segment for the "NFL Turning Point" series, zeroed in on Branch’s on-field mistakes, drawing widespread criticism from fans and media for its seemingly personal attack. The video was swiftly removed by NFL Films within hours, but not before sparking a firestorm among Lions supporters and beyond.
In a bold and unexpected move, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, whose team has a heated rivalry with the Chiefs in recent divisional matchups, publicly defended Branch. Speaking in an exclusive interview, Allen expressed his disapproval of both the Chiefs and the NFL for what he called a "smear campaign" against the young Lions star. He stated:
“I don’t want to see things escalate and drag a talented player like Brian through the mud. Football is played on the field, and that’s where it should end. I admire how he plays with true grit and the spirit of the game. If that video hadn’t been taken down, it could’ve done real damage to his career. The Chiefs and the NFL need to stop throwing dirt like this.”
VIDEOS:
Yikes: NFL Films deleted this video that exposed Lions safety Brian Branch after the league suspended him.
Multiple Lions players have already called out the NFL for creating a "hit piece" on Branch.
We have never seen anything like this.
😬😬😬pic.twitter.com/bcwkwtf6P5 — Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 17, 2025
Allen’s defense of Branch, despite their teams being in different divisions, has been praised as a powerful act of sportsmanship, resonating deeply with Bills fans who have long viewed the Chiefs as rivals. The move underscores Buffalo’s commitment to standing up for fairness, especially in light of their own contentious battles with Kansas City in recent years.
NFL Films issued a statement claiming the video was part of a broader analysis and that they did not anticipate the backlash from posting it independently. However, skepticism persists among Lions and Bills fans, with many on X labeling the clip a deliberate attempt to justify Branch’s one-game suspension following his post-game altercation. The timing of the video—released shortly after Branch’s appeal was denied—has fueled speculation of bias, with some accusing the NFL of favoring the Chiefs.
This controversy has not only reignited debates about the NFL’s impartiality in disciplinary matters but also highlighted the camaraderie among players across teams. Josh Allen’s outspoken support for Brian Branch has positioned the Bills as a voice for justice, further intensifying their rivalry with Kansas City. The saga of the now-deleted NFL Films video is certain to remain a hot topic in the NFL community.
