Steelers Get Truthful Update On George Pickens' Extension And Trade Rumors

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected wide receiver George Pickens in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Regarded as one of the most talented wide receivers in that class, Pickens’ draft stock slipped due to concerns about his maturity. Over his three seasons in Pittsburgh, those concerns have proven valid at times. However, some of Pickens’ most ardent supporters argue that he’s simply an extremely competitive player who has been misunderstood. It could be a combination of both, but the reality is the Steelers have a history of not keeping troubled wide receivers around for long.

Pittsburgh has long prided itself on maintaining a team ethos centered on discipline and effort, and they’ve been quick to part ways with talented wideouts if their attitude or work ethic doesn’t align. This is why many believe Pickens won’t receive an extension when his rookie deal expires. He’ll be entering the final season of his contract, and after the 2025 season, he will become a free agent.

With this looming, Steelers fans are left wondering: will the team trade him to capitalize on his talent, or will they continue working with him in hopes of molding him into the professional player they expect from a star? Steelers insider Mark Kaboly offered some insight into what he expects for Pickens’ future in Pittsburgh via his mailbag posted on his social media account on Thursday.

"Hmm, 14%? It just doesn’t seem like good business to extend Pickens at this point in his career," Kaboly said. "If he has a hell of a season, then franchise tag him next year. I think there is a better chance of them trading him at the deadline in November than extending him by the start of the season. If they sign a WR1, then that percentage goes down to zero."

Kaboly believes Pickens could be traded at the deadline in November. While this would be disappointing for his fans, it might be the best-case scenario if the Steelers have no plans to extend him or keep him beyond the 2025 season. The most frustrating part for Steelers fans is that they know how talented Pickens is—a talent that has been on full display throughout all three of his NFL seasons.

Despite struggling with poor quarterback play and a historically bad offensive system, Pickens has remained productive. In fact, he has been the Steelers' only reliable source of offense for much of his young career. The 24-year-old wide receiver has accumulated 174 receptions for 2,841 receiving yards, averaging an impressive 16.3 yards per catch. He has also scored 12 touchdowns, proving his big-play ability and consistency as a key offensive weapon.

While some might argue Pickens is overrated based on his solid yet not spectacular production, anyone familiar with the state of the Steelers’ offense over the past three seasons would be thoroughly impressed. Despite the chaos around him, Pickens has consistently delivered.

Steelers' George Pickens Is Greatly Misunderstood By The Fan Base

It’s a strange situation for the Steelers. Their wide receiver room is thin, and Pickens is clearly their best offensive player. However, some are frustrated with his outbursts and the way he handles business, to the point where they’d rather see him off the team. While this isn’t the sentiment of the entire fan base, there are definitely fans who feel this way.

Pickens’ frustrations have been valid, and for the most part, he only gets upset when the team struggles, especially when he feels he could do something to help. In the Steelers' regular season finale against the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, Pickens wasn’t targeted once. 

Despite this, he was still seen happier than ever, celebrating with his teammates. Many fans paint Pickens as a villain, but at his core, he’s a competitive player who knows his worth. It’ll be interesting to see how the Steelers handle his future moving forward.

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