The NFL never sleeps, even during its own offseason. Late Tuesday night, rumors surfaced that the Pittsburgh Steelers were in serious trade talks regarding wide receiver George Pickens. By early Wednesday morning, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that a deal had been struck with the Dallas Cowboys.
Pickens was a hot name heading into the 2025 NFL Draft as a potential trade candidate, but nothing came to fruition. The belief was that the Steelers’ asking price was too high, rumored to be a second-round pick.
Trade rumors surrounding Pickens are nothing new. His diva-like antics on and off the field led many to believe his stay in Pittsburgh ultimately would never be a long-term one. With his contract expiring after the 2025 season, there have been no reports of any discussions regarding a long-term deal, despite these comments by Steelers General Manager Omar Khan at the NFL Combine..
Ultimately, George Pickens is now a Dallas Cowboy, and at only 24 years old, there is plenty of time for maturation and growth as a player and a person. His talent is undeniable, which is why he was a second-round pick in 2022 despite playing only 12 games in his final two years at Georgia. He’s an excellent complement to CeeDee Lamb and gives Dak Prescott another immediate weapon as WR2.
What it Means for the Steelers
As for the Steelers, the trade comes at a curious time. After trading for D.K. Metcalf and extending him with a 4-year contract worth $132 million, the wide receiver room appeared to be a strength heading into the 2025 season; thus, the position was not addressed during the draft. Behind Metcalf, Calvin Austin, the unproven Roman Wilson, and Robert Woods fill out the WR room, leaving much to be desired for a competitive group in 2025. Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, and Nelson Agholor head up the remaining wide receivers available as free agents.
The Steelers’ offseason plan is obvious. Enrich the trenches on defense while gaining as much draft capital for 2026 as possible. The free agent signings were done in a strategic manner that wouldn’t hurt the compensatory picks they would receive in 2026 for their bevy of departing free agents. Trading Pickens for a 2026 3rd-round pick and a late-round pick swap further enhances this strategy – loading up on draft picks to ensure the ability to move up (if needed) in the 2026 draft and select the franchise QB of the future.
However, it appears these moves are being made at the expense of the 2025 season.
