George Pickens is out, but Aaron Rodgers isn’t in. Yet.
The future Hall of fame quarterback still hasn’t signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but there is speculation that he is influencing the Steelers’ roster. Rodgers worked out with DK Metcalf in Los Angeles in late March. Rodgers was effusive in his praise of Metcalf, calling him “a great dude” and “an absolute specimen.” Rodgers characterized the interaction a part of his “due diligence” as he weighs his options for 2025.
Conspicuously absent from all of Rodgers’ public comments regarding the Steelers has been anything related to Pickens.
Was George Pickens Traded to Accommodate Aaron Rodgers?
Steelers analyst Andrew Fillipponi appeared on 93.7 The Fan to voice his outlook on the situation on May 8.
“I don’t think Aaron Rodgers wanted to play with George Pickens,” Fillipponi said. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he went and threw to DK Metcalf. He did not throw to George Pickens.”
“He, in interviews about coming to the Steelers, never once mentioned Pickens. And given the way Aaron Rodgers interacted last year with guys like Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams, knowing the personality of George Pickens, I think Aaron Rodgers would have thrown him off the practice field one week into training camp in Latrobe.”
“I don’t think Aaron Rodgers wanted to play with George Pickens.” -me. pic.twitter.com/JmSFpHjjbg
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress)
Rodgers has a history of being selective about who he wants to throw the ball to. He tends to want to build chemistry with his wide receivers and favors trusted veterans. He’s eschewed younger players like Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams, preferring to work with players who can anticipate what he will do, like Davante Adams, Allen Lazard, and Randall Cobb. All three joined him with the New York Jets at one point or another.
Even when ignoring the lost 2023 season, the results have been mixed. Lazard finished with 37 receptions for 530 yards and six touchdowns in 2024. Cobb was out of football in ’24. Adams was acquired in a mid-season trade and in 11 games with Rodgers and the Jets grabbed 67 receptions for 854 and seven touchdowns. For his part, Rodgers finished his age-40 with 3,897 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
The Jets finished a chaotic season 5-12 after Robert Saleh was fired five weeks into the season with a 2-3 record.
Should Rodgers play in 2025, Adams is no longer an option since he signed a two-year, $44 million contract ($26 million guaranteed) with the Los Angeles Rams. However, Allen Lazard could be in play. Lazard took a $7.55 million pay cut earlier this offseason, making his 2025 salary just $2.25 million with $1.75 million guaranteed and another $250k in per-game roster bonuses, which more money than the Steelers saved by trading Pickens.
Whether or not all of this will happen still depends on if Rodgers signs with the Steelers.
