The Pittsburgh Steelers shocked the football world by trading wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys just gave quarterback Dak Prescott another weapon, but the Steelers’ reasons aren’t as clear.
Pittsburgh did something similar in 2024 when they didn’t replace Diontae Johnson before the season started. That left Pickens as their only top receiver. Defenders focused on him and shut him down a lot.
Now, the Steelers are putting newly traded-for DK Metcalf in the same spot for 2025. NFL insider Jeremy Fowler thinks this surprising move might be about the team’s future.
Steelers Trade of George Pickens Could Signal They Are Looking Toward 2026
Fowler posted on X after the trade announcement that the Steelers sent Pickens to Dallas for a 2026 third-round pick and made a separate late-round swap. He also said the team is still talking with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but nothing is official.
Fowler added that the Steelers are counting on Roman Wilson to make a big jump in Year 2. Wilson missed most of his rookie year with an ankle injury, then a hamstring injury. Fowler said Wilson looks way better than he did in 2024. He also said the Pickens deal might be more about what’s coming than what’s happening now.
“Pittsburgh now positioned for three third-round picks in 2026, which they can use for potential WR trade,” Fowler posted.
On Pittsburgh's offense, post-Pickens trade:
–#Steelers remain in contact with Aaron Rodgers and are hopeful that he'll be a Steeler. But, as of now, no hard update.
-Team counting on Roman Wilson Year 2 jump. This offseason he looks like a different player than from his…— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 7, 2025
Steelers Lack Clear No. 2 Receiver Behind DK Metcalf
Metcalf had said he was excited to work with Pickens and believed they could share the spotlight. But now, he’s the clear No. 1 in a wide receiver room filled with depth and questions.
Wilson, Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, Ben Skowronek, Wilson, and other depth players are now behind Metcalf.
Metcalf is entering his seventh NFL season. He has 438 catches for 6,324 yards and 48 touchdowns. The former second-round pick out of Ole Miss has made the Pro Bowl twice and spent his career with the Seattle Seahawks until now.
Austin has been with Pittsburgh since they picked him in the fourth round in 2022. He’s super fast (4.32 40-yard dash) and explosive, but he’s had trouble with route running and consistency.
Woods is an NFL veteran who’s played for several teams since getting drafted in 2013. Now 33, he signed a one-year deal with the Steelers. He was with the Rams for both of their recent Super Bowl trips. While they lost the first one and Woods was hurt for the second, he knows what it takes to get there.
Skowronek and Miller joined Pittsburgh in 2024 and didn’t do much in the offense. Wilson missed most of the season with injuries.
Right now, we’re all just guessing what the Steelers’ plan is. But one thing is clear — they thought getting draft picks for Pickens was better than keeping him.