The Pittsburgh Steelers have traded wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. Initially, reports indicated that the Steelers were not actively shopping Pickens ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. However, the deal is now done: Dallas will receive Pickens along with a 2027 sixth-round pick, while Pittsburgh will acquire a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder in return.
Associated Press
Former Steelers WR George Pickens talks to the crowd during an away game.
However, it seems clear that Pickens was not the driving force behind the trade that sent him to the Cowboys. In fact, all indications suggest that the decision came from within the Steelers organization itself. Steelers insider Mark Kaboly recently shared a post on X, in which he confirmed that it was actually the Steelers' front office that initiated and finalized the deal.
The Steelers are finalizing a trade to send George Pickens to Dallas. The organization felt it was time to move on. My understanding is that Pickens didn't request the trade. Don't expect a huge haul in return.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) May 7, 2025
Pickens was selected by the Steelers in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, taken with the 52nd overall pick. As a result, his rookie contract was set to expire after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL season. Given the current landscape of contracts in the NFL, it’s reasonable to assume that Pickens would have been seeking a significant payday once his rookie deal came to an end. However, it appears increasingly likely that the Steelers were not willing to meet the kind of high-dollar contract demands that Pickens may have been preparing to pursue.
The Steelers have already committed a significant financial investment to a wide receiver this offseason. They acquired veteran DK Metcalf in a trade that sent their 2025 second-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks. Following the trade, Pittsburgh signed Metcalf to a substantial five-year, $150 million contract. This move combined with the Pickens trade, makes it perfectly clear that the Steelers view Metcalf as their WR1 going forward.
UPI
Steelers' DK Metcalf makes a one-handed grab during his time with the Seattle Seahawks.
Throughout his time on the Steelers, Pickens has built an impressive and productive statistical résumé, highlighting his value as a dynamic player. In his career so far, he has recorded a total of 2,841 receiving yards on 174 receptions, along with 12 touchdown catches. His ability to stretch the field and create explosive plays became especially evident during the 2023 season. That year, Pickens led the entire league in average yards per reception, posting an outstanding mark of 18.1 yards per catch.
Pickens has been a somewhat controversial figure during his time with the Steelers however, largely due to his emotional playing style and occasional off-field frustrations that have drawn media attention. While his talent on the field is undeniable, Pickens has at times clashed with coaches and teammates over his role in the offense, particularly when he felt underutilized in the passing game. His visible displays of frustration, whether through body language on the sideline or cryptic social media posts that have raised questions about his maturity. Though many fans admire his competitive edge and passion, these controversies have made Pickens a polarizing presence in the Steelers locker room.
The Former Steelers WR Could Thrive In A Fresh Setting
Love him or hate him, Pickens played a significant role in the Steelers' offense over the past few seasons. But one undeniable challenge during his time in Pittsburgh was the lack of a consistent and reliable starting quarterback. Drafted in 2022, the same year the Steelers selected quarterback Kenny Pickett, Pickens entered a team in transition, particularly at the quarterback position following the retirement of franchise legend Ben Roethlisberger. Despite high expectations, Pickett struggled to live up to his potential and ultimately failed to solidify himself as the long-term answer as quarterback. As a result, Pickens has had to navigate frequent quarterback changes, which may have hindered both his development and overall production.
Rebecca Blackwell / AP Photo
Two former Steelers, quarterback Kenny Pickett (#8) and wide receiver George Pickens (#14) celebrating during a game.
However, with the quarterback room being cleared out prior to this offseason, the starting quarterback role is now vacant. During his time with the Steelers, Pickens has not had the benefit of a stable, proven quarterback. With a dependable, long-term franchise quarterback, potentially similar to Dak Prescott in Dallas, his production and overall influence on the field could significantly increase.
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