So I was just sitting here, enjoying my morning coffee, listening to ESPN’s *Get Up!* as they dove into the Cowboys versus Eagles matchup that kicks off the season. Dan Orlovsky really went all out praising George Pickens, labeling him “one of the best 1V1 receivers in the NFL.” He even predicted a bright future for him in Dallas.
But, I mean, we’ve seen this before. We’ve written this script multiple times, and the outcomes have generally been the same. Honestly, if you’re thinking about taking a chance on a Steelers receiver, proceed with caution. If Pickens were truly one of the elite 1V1 receivers, why would Pittsburgh let him go? Sure, he could be feeling slighted—after all, he’s had to deal with some pretty average quarterbacks for much of his career. Now, with someone like Prescott throwing to him, it could really change things.
At the end of the day, there’s a clear fact here: the Steelers might know something we don’t. When will we truly evaluate this receiver situation?
Take, for instance, Mike Wallace. He was once seen as a top deep threat in the NFL, but when he entered training camp in 2012, he was looking for a hefty deal. The Steelers decided against giving him what he wanted, which led him to sign a $60 million contract with the Miami Dolphins.
In Miami, Wallace had a couple of decent seasons, but never managed to replicate his 1,000-yard success with the Steelers.
Antonio Brown is another prime example. He found himself unhappy in Pittsburgh despite racking up impressive stats and multiple Pro Bowl appearances. After a standout 1,200-yard season, the Steelers traded him away for a third and fifth-round pick. Ironically, he never played a down for the Raiders and struggled with the Patriots and Buccaneers.
Juju Smith-Schuster (2021)
For a time, it seemed like Smith-Schuster was the heir apparent to Pittsburgh’s receiving legacy. He had a breakout year in 2018 with 1,426 yards, but things took a downturn, and it seemed the Steelers lost faith in him.
They offered him a one-year, $8 million extension for 2020, after which he left in free agency. He joined the Chiefs, but even with Patrick Mahomes as his quarterback, couldn’t recapture his earlier success.
Chase Claypool was drafted as a promising receiver and had a solid rookie year, scoring nine touchdowns. Still, he felt he should have easily crossed the 1,000-yard mark in his first two seasons.
The Chicago Bears traded a second-round pick for him in the 2023 draft, yet it soon became clear Pittsburgh was eager to part ways with him. His time with Chicago was disappointing, and he played only 10 games before being dealt again.
Another receiver on the move is Diontae Johnson, who showed potential as a 1,000-yard receiver but felt frustrated within the Steelers’ system. Following a below-par season, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers.
Johnson was seen as a crucial player to help elevate the team’s quarterback situation, but instead, his effort dwindled, leading to a mid-season trade to the Ravens, where his issues continued.
In the end, he was cut by the Browns before the 2025 season.
What’s the takeaway?
The Steelers seem to have a knack for identifying a certain type of receiver—those who are exceptionally talented but often fall in the draft due to doubts about their work ethic or adaptability. They enter the league eager and energetic, yet as they settle into their new surroundings, many fade from prominence.
And what about George Pickens? His biggest questions revolve around those same issues: movement and motivation. At first, he might quell those concerns and even land himself a lucrative contract, but it’s uncertain if that will truly last. When it comes to evaluating receivers, the Steelers have a remarkable track record. It’s a tough game out there, and whether Pickens can adapt, well—that’s yet to be seen.
It’s a story we’ve seen unfold before, and it seems to repeat itself.
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