The Pittsburgh Steelers have never been shy about making bold moves, but their latest trade has sent shockwaves across the NFL landscape. In a surprising post-draft twist, the Dallas Cowboys have agreed to terms to acquire George Pickens from the Steelers, adding another layer of confusion to an offseason that many fans already viewed as puzzling. With no clear successor at receiver and Aaron Rodgers potentially under center for only one year, the move has left supporters and analysts questioning the team’s direction.
The trade comes after Pittsburgh opted not to select a wideout in the draft despite an obvious need. As part of the deal, the Cowboys will also receive a 2026 sixth-round pick from the Steelers. Pittsburgh gets a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick from Dallas. That return — combined with the timing and lack of current roster replacements — sparked a flurry of criticism online, including from some of the most respected names in football media.
Steelers Relationship With George Pickens ‘Ran Its Course’
Pickens, a 2022 second-round pick, is entering the final year of his rookie contract after posting over 2,841 receiving yards with the Steelers. His size-speed combo made him a tough cover in Pittsburgh, but questions about his maturity and buy-in persisted. With Mike Tomlin’s patience wearing thin, the Steelers opted to cash out — and Cowboys general manager Jerry Jones saw an opening.
“The Steelers’ relationship with WR George Pickens simply ran its course. He’s an extremely talented player, but the team wasn’t interested in another year together,” Ari Meirov, NFL reporter for The 33RD Team, wrote on X. “Pittsburgh has a strong track record of knowing when to move on from receivers. Bold move by Dallas, betting they can tap into the immense talent of the 24-year-old Pickens.”
The #Steelers’ relationship with WR George Pickens simply ran its course. He’s an extremely talented player, but the team wasn’t interested in another year together…. Pittsburgh has a strong track record of knowing when to move on from receivers.
Bold move by Dallas, betting… https://t.co/0kYNwmboLa
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 7, 2025
Longtime Steelers insider Mark Kaboly, contributor to “The Pat McAfee Show,” noted that Pickens didn’t request a trade. As they do with most young receivers, Pittsburgh just felt it was time to move on.
NFL World Rips Steelers Over Pickens Deal
ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Matt Miller was short and to the point: “This is the worst Steelers roster of the Mike Tomlin era.” That sentiment was echoed widely on social media and sports talk shows, with many pointing to the team’s lack of firepower at wide receiver, depth concerns on offense, and the unclear plan at quarterback beyond 2025.
Yahoo Sports’ Matt Harmon highlighted the move’s long-term implications, especially in the context of Rodgers’ short window: “It’s pretty telling that Pittsburgh, which is theoretically in the shortest of short-term windows with Aaron Rodgers at QB this year, were willing to take 2026 draft picks (which have not been announced, so they’re not high) for George Pickens to not be on their team.”
It’s pretty telling that Pittsburgh, which is theoretically in the shortest of short-term windows with Aaron Rodgers at QB this year, were willing to take 2026 draft picks (which have not been announced, so they’re not high) for George Pickens to not be on their team.
— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) May 7, 2025
Fan reaction was even more emotional — and brutally honest. One diehard Steelers supporter wrote, “The Steelers Could’ve Easily Had. QB1: Shedeur Sanders WR1: George Pickens WR2: DK Metcalf WR3: Calvin Austin TE: Pat Friermuth RB: Najee Harris RB2: Kaleb Johnson/Jaylen Warren And somehow messed it all up. This is the worst offseason in Steelers History.”
The Steelers Could’ve Easily Had.
QB1: Shedeur Sanders
WR1: George Pickens
WR2: DK Metcalf
WR3: Calvin Austin
TE: Pat Friermuth
RB: Najee Harris
RB2: Kaleb Johnson/Jaylen WarrenAnd somehow messed it all up.
This is the worst offseason in Steelers History. pic.twitter.com/TNZ4KT9I85
— 𝕋𝕖𝕣𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖 🔆 (@lil_trevino24) May 7, 2025
Kevin Adams, cohost of Barstool Sports’ STEEL HERE podcast, tried rationalizing the deal. “People losing their minds it was only for a 3rd rounder. Guys be real about this. What is GP worth? The talent, he’s elite. The personality? Everybody knows. Takes plays off. Late to games. Meltdowns. Etc. That hurt trade value. Sure they took what they could get. Eyes on 2026.”
People losing their minds it was only for a 3rd rounder.
Guys be real about this. What is GP worth? The talent, he’s elite. The personality? Everybody knows Takes plays off. Late to games. Meltdowns. Etc
That hurt trade value. Sure they took what they could get. Eyes on 2026.
— Kevin Adams (@KevinAdams26) May 7, 2025
One fan speculated the team of the 2026 NFL Draft host city is already gearing up for next year’s quarterback-heavy draft class. “We’re loading up and going all in on getting a QB next year it seems, especially with the draft being in Pittsburgh.” But that forward-looking mindset didn’t stop the criticism of the team’s current leadership.
Another X user wrote, “Telling that they are run by a bunch of unserious idiots? Yes. It is. You do not do this after a draft in which you didn’t acquire another receiver after watching the dumpster fire of a receiving core last year when you only had one.”
This trade has not only shifted the conversation in Pittsburgh but also prompted Steelers Nation to question whether this front office truly has a plan.