NFL insider proves that the Pittsburgh Steelers' decision to trade George Pickens was tied to signing quarterback Aaron Rodgers
At some point and time, George Pickens was going to run his course with the Pittsburgh Steelers. It just so happens that it happened sooner rather than later. And according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, part of that was due to Aaron Rodgers… Steelers didn't want any Aaron Rodgers-George Pickens issues Staying with Pittsburgh-related matters, […]
At some point and time, George Pickens was going to run his course with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It just so happens that it happened sooner rather than later.
And according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, part of that was due to Aaron Rodgers…
Steelers didn't want any Aaron Rodgers-George Pickens issues
Staying with Pittsburgh-related matters, the Steelers moved on from Pickens for a few reasons. His maturity issues were well-known within Pittsburgh's locker room and front office. So, the Steelers made the evaluation that Pickens and Rodgers probably would not hit it off.
– Jeremy Fowler, ESPN
George Pickens was always going to be a Pittsburgh Steeler in 2025—until they received the right offer. In their minds, a round three pick from Dallas was that offer. For the past year, the rhetoric coming from the Steelers front office has been about addition in the WR room, not subtraction.
But George Pickens has tested their patience. If not for a strong relationship with Mike Tomlin, he likely would have been gone a long time ago due to his immaturity. Repeatedly being late to practice, team meetings, even chartered flights, Pickens has yet to fully grasp the professional aspect of the NFL according to league sources.
And in a year where the Steelers want to go all in on winning the Super Bowl, they didn't want any more headaches, or at least not ones that carry the magnitude of George Pickens.
Some have already pointed out the potential issues between Rodgers and Metcalf, given the possible clash of egos. Could you imagine a trio of Rodgers, Metcalf, and Pickens? Let the team lose one game, and Rodgers miss a few targets to either one, and we would have a Najee Harris ripping the team back in 2023 all over again.
So was the thought process a little cart before the horse, given that they traded Pickens nearly two months before Rodgers signed? Maybe, but it further proves that Pittsburgh thought Rodgers would be their starter all along.
