The Truth Comes Out About George Pickens' Problems With The Steelers And How Things Fell Apart

The Pittsburgh Steelers broke a lot of fans' hearts during the 2025 offseason when the organization parted ways with wide receiver George Pickens by trading him to the Dallas Cowboys. The tension between the receiver and the Steelers had been growing ever since he was drafted back in 2022, and things became irreparable as Pickens refused to mature and clean up his act. Pittsburgh certainly added to his frustration, as the team consistently failed to scheme him open and surround him with playmakers that could help him and the rest of the offense produce at a high level.

Pickens was clearly a standout wide receiver during his time in Pittsburgh, but he was often cast in a bad light due to his attitude when speaking to the media and his occasional tardiness. His overall immaturity did not sit well with a lot of fans, but the talent was always there. He is having the best season of his career as he is near the top of the league in all major receiving statistics, and a lot of that is because he finally has stellar quarterback play. A player in Dallas recently spoke to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, where he shared that the quarterback position is where a lot of Pickens' frustrations came from.

"That's where a lot of the issues from Pittsburgh stem from," the player said. "He didn't have stability at quarterback."

This is true. The quarterback situation in Pittsburgh was rough throughout Pickens' tenure with the organization, and it still is to this day. Over his first two seasons in the league, he caught passes from Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, and Mason Rudolph, which isn't exactly a star-studded group of names.

The first two seasons for Pickens in Pittsburgh were rocky at the quarterback position, and things did not get much better in 2024. Both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson played quarterback for the Steelers during that season, and sometimes things went well, but there were also times where the offense was clearly frustrated because things were not working. When there is quarterback problems, it can frustrate a receiver, because they have no control over it. That is what a source from the Steelers mentioned, which was a major factor in Pickens' frustration.

"The stuff he couldn't control, he had a hard time dealing with, and a quarterback's play is not in his control," a Steelers source said. "I think the quarterback issues [in Pittsburgh] played a part in his frustrations."

Pickens now has someone in Dallas and Pittsburgh stating that his frustrations stemmed from quarterback play, which wouldn't have been hard to guess. He is now catching passes from Dak Prescott, who is one of the best quarterbacks in the league statistically, regardless of what his critics might say. The numbers support that he has been better than most over the last decade, and that is clear from his play in 2025.

Steelers Now Have To Watch George Pickens Dominate

Pickens is playing like an elite wide receiver while catching passes from Prescott and playing alongside guys like CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson. Dallas is also a pass-heavy offense, which is something Pickens never got to experience in Pittsburgh. Through 12 games, the receiver has recorded career-highs in catches, touchdowns, yards, first downs gained, and targets. He has been one of the best players in the NFL throughout the 2025 season, and he is due for a big pay day after the season comes to a close. He should be able to get a deal done to stay with the Cowboys, and it should make him one of the highest-paid receivers in the league.

Pittsburgh may have some regrets letting go of Pickens, but he was likely never going to have the type of success he is having now with the Steelers.

What do you think about Pickens' frustrations in Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments below!

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