It seems like some of George Pickens’ teammates in Pittsburgh were ready to say “goodbye.” Just days after the Steelers traded the wide receiver to the Cowboys, reporter Mark Caboley shared that there were concerns about Pickens’ attitude. Apparently, some players worried it might create a negative atmosphere in the locker room.
Caboley remarked that “a few individuals thought retaining him, despite his unique skills, was detrimental,” and this sentiment seemed to resonate within the team.
Pickens, who was drafted from Georgia in 2022, was at the center of several controversies last season. Coach Mike Tomlin urged the 24-year-old to “mature” after he received a penalty during a December game against the Bengals.
This offseason, it’s been hard to ignore the chatter surrounding Pickens. Some fans even noticed that he stopped following the team on social media, further fueling speculation about his future in Pittsburgh.
During the 2025 NFL Draft, the Steelers reportedly explored trading Pickens, but many opposing teams laughed off the idea of bringing him on board. According to Athletics, this lack of interest was echoed in the recent report about the Steelers having little intent to trade him under unfavorable conditions.
Ultimately, Dallas managed to acquire Pickens for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. The Steelers also sent a sixth-round pick from 2027 in the transaction.
Now, Pickens is excited about his new role with the Cowboys, saying he enjoys the vibe there. Despite this, he recently denied any negativity toward the Steelers, asserting on Instagram that he appreciates what they did for him.
Pickens is set to debut with his new team on September 4th when the Cowboys face off against the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Eagles.
