George Pickens' future with the Pittsburgh Steelers could suddenly look a lot different after expected trade for Pro Bowl WR
Well, it finally happened. The Pittsburgh Steelers traded for one of the best deep threats in the league, giving George Pickens a running mate on the perimeter. Only, that's what it seems on paper, with reality potentially showing something entirely different… Could George Pickens be on his way out of Pittsburgh? BREAKING: The Seahawks are […]
Well, it finally happened.
The Pittsburgh Steelers traded for one of the best deep threats in the league, giving George Pickens a running mate on the perimeter.
Only, that's what it seems on paper, with reality potentially showing something entirely different…
Could George Pickens be on his way out of Pittsburgh?
BREAKING: The Seahawks are trading DK Metcalf to the Steelers, multiple sources tell NFL on FOX. The Steelers have been trying to acquire another big time wide receiver for quite some time. GM Omar Khan has been hot on DK Metcalf ever since the trade request became public, surveying the market and ensuring he could pay the Pro Bowler what was necessary.
– Jordan Schultz, Fox Sports
The trade and massive contract extension ensure that Metcalf is the Steelers WR #1 of the future. But what does that mean for their current WR #1 George Pickens? See for the longest time everyone has wanted to see Pittsburgh acquire a player to play alongside Pickens.
But when you trade for one of the best in the league and extend him through age 33 while your current WR heads into the final year of his deal with no extension in sight, questions have to be raised.
For one, Pickens himself admitted that he wasn't optimistic about his future in Pittsburgh after the playoff loss against the Baltimore Ravens a few months back.
"Yea, I've seen signs of growth for sure. From the past. From the first year I've been here just, just way more growth for sure," said Pickens when asked if the offense had improved over his three years with the team.
But when asked if that growth had him optimistic about the future, Pickens added, "Uhhhh, nah. I'm really just thinking about right now to be honest, can't even think about the future. [I'm] just thinking about what just happened."
On top of that, we know that as talented as Pickens is, he's a massive headache for the Steelers. Everything from fines and penalties to continuous tardiness and missed meetings, he's three years into the league and has seemingly regressed in terms of behavior.
The logical move is letting Pickens play out his rookie deal and determining what to do with him after the 2025 season. Whether that's walk in free agency or franchise tag and trade him or extend him.
But for now, teams will be calling about Pickens and it will be up to Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin to decide what happens next.
