Tim Dwight might not be as elusive as he was yesterday when he was whisked from the Steelers' offices on the South Side and slipped away from a small gathering of reporters without comment.

But he is quick enough that the Steelers might entertain the idea of signing him to replace Antwaan Randle El as a punt returner and backup wide receiver -- if Dwight doesn't quickly sign with another team.

Dwight, an unrestricted free agent who played last season with the New England Patriots, visited the Steelers' practice facility in the afternoon, then hurried to catch a flight to Seattle, where he is expected to talk today with the NFC champion Seahawks.

The New York Jets, however, are interested in signing Dwight as their No. 3 receiver, and a deal could be reached before he even visits the Seahawks. The Steelers do not have any plans to bring in more free-agent players before coaches leave Friday for a week's vacation.

"He's excited about the prospects," said Jack Bechta, Dwight's agent. "He sees himself fitting in [with the Steelers] and would like to be a part of their dynasty."

Dwight, who has played with three teams in eight years in the NFL, visited last week with the Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars. The Steelers like him mainly as a punt returner to replace Randle El, who signed with the Washington Redskins in free agency. But the Steelers do not consider Dwight as the type of receiver who would challenge Cedrick Wilson for the starting split-end position.

Dwight, 5 feet 8, is primarily a slot receiver who would probably be the team's No. 4 receiver. But he is versatile, like Randle El. Dwight is the only active NFL player to score multiple touchdowns in receiving (17), rushing (3), punt returns (3) and kickoff returns (2).

"They're a good, solid organization, a dynasty in the making," Bechta said. "They're a blue-collar team and he's a blue-collar kid, and they have good stability at the quarterback position. He just wants to go somewhere where he can compete for the No. 3 receiver."

The Steelers will try to replace Randle El by taking a wide receiver in the first or second round of the NFL draft next month. But it isn't considered a strong year for wide receivers and the Steelers want to make sure they have an adequate backup plan in place if they don't find a suitable replacement in the draft.

That's why they visited with Dwight one day after they re-signed veteran Lee Mays, a fifth-round pick in 2002, to a one-year contract. Mays' value to the team is he can play all three receivers positions -- flanker, split end and slot.

Dwight was seventh in the AFC, 12th in the NFL, in punt returns last season, averaging 8.5 yards on 32 returns. He also returned 10 kickoffs for 250 yards. But Dwight caught only 19 passes for 332 yards and three touchdowns with the Patriots, who signed him to a one-year contract after he played four seasons with the San Diego Chargers.

A fourth-round choice of the Atlanta Falcons in 1998, Dwight's best season was 2002 when he caught 50 passes for 623 yards and two touchdowns with the Chargers. He also ran 12 times for 108 yards and a touchdown that season.

Dwight has returned three punts for touchdowns in his career (70, 70 and 84 yards), but none since 2001. His last scoring return was in 2004 when he returned a kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown -- his first kick return for touchdown since a 94-yarder in Super Bowl XXXIII with the Falcons.

Of his 25 career touchdowns, seven have been longer than 50 yards and five longer than 70 yards.

"It's a question if [the Steelers] can meet what we're looking for," Bechta said.