Multiple Steelers Defenders Wanted George Pickens Traded: "Probably A Couple Guys You'd Be Shocked At"

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to trade George Pickens seemed to shock many, but also not shock others. Some fans believed Pickens was a rare talent who was misunderstood and placed in an unfavorable situation in Pittsburgh, especially within a struggling offense that never fully used his skill set. They pointed to his athleticism, big-play potential, and flashes of brilliance as signs that he could have thrived with better coaching or more consistent quarterback play.

Others saw a different side of Pickens. To them, he came across as entitled, selfish, and unwilling to give the kind of effort and attitude that the Steelers expect from their players. His body language, occasional lack of hustle, and off-field demeanor often raised questions about his commitment. Many believed his behavior clashed with the team’s culture and may have made it difficult for coaches and teammates to fully trust him.

According to Steelers insider Mark Kaboly, the move may have been more about the locker room than fans realize. While speaking on 93.7 The Fan, Kaboly said fans would be very shocked to learn which offensive and defensive players wanted Pickens gone. That statement suggests it wasn’t just Mike Tomlin who was done with the young wide receiver. The support for trading Pickens may have been stronger inside the building than anyone on the outside suspected.

"There's a lot of guys in that defense—even the offense," Kaboly said. "There were probably a couple guys that you would be shocked at, that I did hear after the fact. They were pretty much saying, 'See ya.' They didn't want anything to do with him."

This news is shocking to some, but not all that surprising to the portion of the Steelers fan base who saw it coming. During his three seasons in the Steel City, Pickens delivered some unforgettable moments. 

His highlight-reel catches, including a jaw-dropping grab against the Cleveland Browns, showcased his rare athleticism and ability to shine in big-time situations. However, while he often stole the spotlight with his talent, he also drew attention for the wrong reasons. His on-field meltdowns, inconsistent effort, and off-field behavior created tension. In the eyes of Tomlin, and apparently several of his teammates, the juice simply was not worth the squeeze anymore.

It is a disappointing reality to accept for a player with so much natural talent. Pickens was the kind of receiver who made the impossible look routine, a physical mismatch who could take over a game with one play. However, despite those flashes of brilliance, he struggled to consistently buy into the team-first mentality that has long defined the Steelers' culture. 

Whether it was body language on the sideline, cryptic social media posts, or reported friction behind closed doors, Pickens never fully aligned with what Pittsburgh demands from its top players. In the end, talent alone was not enough to secure his long-term future in black and gold.

Several Steelers Players Were Happy George Pickens Got Traded

Speculating on exactly which players wanted Pickens gone is not entirely fair, and to his credit, Kaboly did not name names. However, he did offer a strong hint while speaking on Monday, suggesting that fans would be very shocked to find out who among the team’s offensive and defensive units supported the decision to trade him. 

That kind of locker room sentiment speaks volumes. It shows this was not just a decision made by the coaching staff, but one that likely had the quiet support of several team leaders. However, not every teammate was happy to see Pickens go. When the trade was announced, both Nick Herbig and Calvin Austin III shared messages on social media expressing their disappointment. Clearly, there were still players in the locker room who respected and supported him.

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