The Pittsburgh Steelers moved on from George Pickens this week, trading him to the Dallas Cowboys as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. There are many theories about why the Steelers decided to move on from the talented wide receiver, and one NFL insider is dispelling some narratives about Pickens and his antics.
NFL Insider Explains How Steelers’ Locker Room Felt About George Pickens
When the Cowboys traded for Pickens, the rumor mill started churning.
The Steelers had previously acquired DK Metcalf in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks and immediately offered him $33 million a year before he’d caught a pass for the franchise. While it initially seemed he would form a one-two punch with Pickens, the Steelers clearly had other plans.
Once Pickens was traded, the conversation centered around his attitude and demeanour on the field. The narrative read that he was selfish and sometimes lazy, taking plays off when he wasn’t getting the ball.
While discussing the trade on “The Pat McAfee Show,” ESPN’s Peter Schrager explained that Pickens was perceived differently within the Steelers’ building than outside.
“George Pickens runs hot, and you see it on Sundays when he’s throwing his helmet and he’s having meltdowns and crash outs on the sidelines… But he wasn’t a disliked player,” he said.
“He was late for certain things, and there were issues on gameday on Sundays with him getting frustrated with the quarterback play and wanting the ball. But to a man, everyone in Pittsburgh was like, ‘He shows up, he works hard, he blocks his a** off, and he can still play.’ The truth of the matter was they weren’t going to pay him the big money that he was gonna be due at the end of this season.”
"George Pickens wasn't a disliked player in that Steelers building..
The Steelers weren't gonna pay him big money after this season but they did like him" @PSchrags #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/pD2UlRcHoY
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 8, 2025
It is understood that Mike Tomlin orchestrated this trade that sent Pickens out of Pittsburgh, but according to Schrager, it may not be for the reasons many initially believed.
Ultimately, it came down to the money, with the receiver entering the final year of his contract before being able to test the free agency market in 2026.
Pickens’ Next Steps to a Lucrative Contract
Considering the quarterback situation in Pittsburgh over the last three years, Pickens’ production is impressive. He caught 63 passes in 2023 for 1,140 receiving yards and five touchdowns, while playing with a mix of Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, and Mitch Trubisky.
The Steelers then switched to Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, and he was still productive in 2024, with 900 yards and three touchdowns in a sputtering offense that struggled to throw the football consistently.
In a Cowboys offense with more stability and a franchise quarterback, Pickens will have a chance to showcase his true potential. He will also have the support of a true WR1 in CeeDee Lamb, which will alleviate much of the pressure on him.
If Pickens plays well in 2025, he could earn himself a serious payday. The going rate for a top-tier wide receiver is at least $30 million a season as it stands, and that could increase again when we reach 2026.