George Pickens is known to speak his mind and stir the pot both on and off the field. And it didn’t take long for the newest member of the Dallas Cowboys to share his thoughts on his former team. In a comment recently posted and deleted from his Instagram account, Pickens had some brutally honest words for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since then, Pickens has claimed the post was fake and created by AI, and he followed up with a photo of himself on a plane, saying he had just landed and didn’t have service.
George Pickens: ‘They the Cheapest Organization’
The deleted comment may be gone, but the internet never forgets. If the post was real, Pickens’ alleged words made waves fast: “They the cheapest organization. Ain’t no stacking year after year they gone let them n***** go soon as it’s time Lmaoo.”
George Pickens aint lying. Finally, the truth. https://t.co/ldefOcQgzY
— Malcolm FleX (@Malcolm_fleX48)
Whether Pickens actually posted the comment or not, there could be a bit of truth behind it. As a second-round pick, his four-year rookie contract — signed in 2022 — is set to expire after the 2025 season. If the comment was real, it suggests the Steelers had no plans to talk long-term extension with him.
The Steelers already let one of their own draft picks walk: Running back Najee Harris. Drafted in the first round in 2021, Harris wasn’t offered a fifth-year option and signed with the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason on a one-year, $9.5 million deal. While Harris didn’t put up elite numbers, he rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons and never missed a game—something rare for a modern-day running back.
The offseason initially looked promising for Pittsburgh. In March, the team pulled off a trade for DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks. The Steelers also appeared to be in the mix for Aaron Rodgers, but so far, the only quarterback additions were Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson coming in January, and former Ohio State QB Will Howard being drafted in the fifth round a few weeks ago. Maybe this ties into the idea that even Rodgers isn’t in black and gold right now because the Steelers are seen as “cheap.”
As exciting as it would’ve been to see a trio of Metcalf, Pickens and Rodgers in Pittsburgh, that ship has sailed. Pickens now gets a fresh start in Dallas, where he’ll line up alongside CeeDee Lamb. He’ll be catching passes from Dak Prescott, who returns from a season-ending hamstring injury that required surgery.
Pickens now joins a team with quarterback stability and weapons around him, giving him a chance to thrive after posting 2,841 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns during his time with the Steelers. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is left figuring out what their new offense will look like and who will lead it. And they’ll have to answer questions sparked by Pickens’ alleged comments. Will the Steelers start investing in their young core, or will they keep hitting the reset button every few years?