At the 2025 NFL Draft, the idea that the Steelers might trade away their talented wide receiver, George Pickens, sparked laughter in the opposing team’s war room.
A recent report from Athletic detailed how Pittsburgh struck a deal with the Cowboys, moving on from their second-round pick after failing to secure a trade partner last month.
“During the draft, it was rumored that Pickens could be available for the right offer. At that moment, some teams expressed disbelief at the thought of adding Pickens, not to mention the draft picks involved,” the outlet reported.
Pittsburgh had largely ignored Pickens, having traded their second-round pick to Seattle earlier in March as part of the deal for DK Metcalf.
It was suggested that Pickens had a finite time in Pittsburgh, especially after the Cowboys offered a third-round pick for 2026 and a fifth-round pick in 2027 for quarterback Dak Prescott’s new addition.
In December, Pickens had an altercation at home late on Christmas day and later joined fans for a contest in January.
Before the 2025 NFL Draft, there was growing speculation about Pickens’ diminishing time with the Steelers.
After receiving penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct against the Bengals, coach Mike Tomlin urged the 24-year-old to mature. “It’s an emotional game. These divisional matchups mean a lot. He knows he has a target on his back but needs to grow and adapt quickly,” Tomlin remarked.
Fans noticed that Pickens stopped following the Steelers on social media following rumors that the team was looking to trade him.
As he enters the last year of his rookie contract, Pickens is set on proving to the Cowboys’ management that he’s their top asset this season, with expectations of a possible contract extension, according to insider Clarence Hill Jr.
Last season, Pickens recorded 59 receptions and three touchdowns, racking up 900 yards. He achieved career-best numbers in 2024, with 63 receptions across 17 games, totaling 1,140 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
Pittsburgh, which forked over a sixth-round pick in 2027 as part of the Pickens trade, now faces another project in the offseason.
Aaron Rodgers remains closely tied to the team but has yet to decide on his NFL future as he navigates some personal matters.
With quarterbacks Justin Fields and Russell Wilson entering free agency, the Steelers opted to re-sign veteran backup Mason Rudolph and selected Wil Howard from Ohio State in the sixth round of this year’s draft.
