NFL analyst floats popular NFC team as potential trade destination for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens
Why would the Pittsburgh Steelers, who only have one viable WR even consider moving off George Pickens? Well, when you cause the kind of headaches that he has, the Steelers will only tolerate Pickens until they can replace him. And with a plethora of options at 21 in the upcoming NFL Draft, that may just […]
Why would the Pittsburgh Steelers, who only have one viable WR even consider moving off George Pickens?
Well, when you cause the kind of headaches that he has, the Steelers will only tolerate Pickens until they can replace him.
And with a plethora of options at 21 in the upcoming NFL Draft, that may just happen and Pickens may be on his way to the NFC according to one analyst…
Pickens to GB?
Here's another young receiver who could fetch a nice price from a trading partner seeking a true No. 1 pass-catching option. (Right, Green Bay?) Pickens has been inconsistent, but the Steelers have also trotted out a wide assortment of quarterbacks during his first three seasons in the NFL. Having him as the top target for, say, Jordan Love would be huge for Matt LaFleur's Packers offense. The Steelers also get a chance to avoid an uncomfortable conversation with Pickens when the 2022 second-round pick's contract is up at the end of the 2025 season. And let’s be completely honest, the Steelers have done a great job over the last few decades of moving on from receivers before issues arise, financial or otherwise.
– Adam Rank, NFL.com
Pickens is one of the most talented WRs in the entire NFL. That much is not a debate. But as Rank suggested, the Steelers will have to start, if they haven't already, discussing Pickens' future.
He is heading into the final year of his rookie deal, and the Steelers have to decide if he's going to walk, or if he's going to be signed to a long-term extension.
After leading the league in yards per reception in 2023 and going over 1,100 yards with three different QBs, many hoped that 2024 would be a breakout for Pickens.
But between weekly fines and a hamstring injury that forced him to miss multiple games, that next step was never taken both maturity-wise and in his game, and now the Steelers are forced to make a tough decision.
