The Steelers are sorting through a mess of their own making with Mike McCarthy at HC and Aaron Rodgers at QB. These two are going to collect headlines whether there’s success (unlikely) or failure (more likely).
Pretty quietly, the team has been collecting ex-Vikings players, too.
Pittsburgh’s official social media passed along word of adding WR Joaquin Davis. He’s a tall and super fast depth receiver who got shown the door after GM Nolan Teasley took over (signing some Seattle talent was deemed more desirable). Davis will be looking to prove helpful to McCarthy & Rodgers as he tries to secure long-term employment in The Steel City.
A Pile of Ex-Vikings are Calling Pittsburgh Home
Not too long ago, word emerged of Robert Tonyan joining the AFC North team.
Doing so meant reuniting with Rodgers, both of whom played in Green Bay. Where Tonyan differentiates himself from Rodgers is that the TE wanted to play in the Twin Cities, leading to an opportunity to do so. Meanwhile, Rodgers desired to do so but the Vikings (mercifully) opted against the option. Given how things unfolded in 2025, signing Rodgers for a single season may have been the better move had the only criteria been on-field competence.
The wild part in the broader conversation is that Davis and Tonyan are far from alone when it comes to former Vikings getting a chance over in Pittsburgh.
Consider some of the former Vikings putting in work for the Steelers:
- DL Esezi Otomewo
- DL Dean Lowry
- LB Jamin Davis
- TE Robert Tonyan
- WR Joaquin Davis
- OL Doug Nester
As it relates to Davis specifically, a spot on the 53-man roster always appeared difficult. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings aren’t going anywhere. Securing a spot as the WR4 or WR5 was going to be supremely difficult.
What he had to offer, though, did inspire a decent amount of intrigue.
Standing at 6’4″ and running a forty in the 4.3 range is always going to attract attention in the NFL. Davis, predictably, has been getting chances. Rodgers isn’t the deep-ball assassin that he once was but he’s still above average. Maybe Davis can prove helpful.
Considering the situation from the other direction — ex-Steelers putting in work as Vikings — means considering a more modest list. Most notable, perhaps, is corner James Pierre. He’s joined by d-lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk.
Prior to becoming the DC in Minnesota, Brian Flores was the world’s most overqualified linebacker coach with Mike Tomlin’s Steelers.
Since the Vikings and the Steelers play in opposite conferences, a Super Bowl battle is a possibility. Seeing that incredibly unlikely matchup take place would mean seeing some ex-Vikings trying to get revenge on football’s biggest stage.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.