When news broke last week that the Pittsburgh Steelers had traded wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, it sent shockwaves.
Social media erupted, and fans were in disbelief. Many were left mourning the missed opportunity to watch Pickens line up alongside DK Metcalf—a duo that had the potential to dominate defenses across the league.
It felt like the Steelers had once again let a star walk out the door before reaching his full potential.
As the dust began to settle, more details emerged that painted a clearer picture of why the Steelers made the move. Behavioral concerns, locker room friction, and lingering doubts about maturity were catalysts.
Now, even Ben Roethlisberger—a man who threw passes to some of the most talented (and challenging) receivers in Steelers history—has weighed in on the situation.
On his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, the future Hall of Famer shared his candid thoughts.
"I think George Pickens would have made a difference this year in a positive manner for the most part," Roethlisberger admitted. "But I do think that his shenanigans will also, you know, set us back again. I think it's a culture win."
The Pittsburgh Steelers are better off without George Pickens on the 2025 roster
That phrase culture win carries a lot of weight, especially from someone who’s seen the best and worst of Steelers football from inside the huddle.
Roethlisberger knows what it takes to lead a team through chaos and back to contention. He’s dealt with his fair share of high-maintenance wideouts. If he believes cutting ties with Pickens was necessary to preserve the team’s identity and chemistry, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
Still, it's bittersweet. Pickens was electric. A human highlight reel. And the dream of seeing him stretch the field opposite Metcalf had many of us fantasizing about a revived Steelers offense. That dream is now gone.
READ MORE:Former Steelers superstar silently praises wild trade with cryptic warning
I appreciate Ben's perspective. He’s not sugarcoating it.
He acknowledges the talent lost while also recognizing the importance of team culture—something Pittsburgh has always prided itself on.
Roethlisberger's take does not erase the sting of the trade, but it gives us something to think about: maybe this painful move lays the foundation for something stronger down the road.
More Steelers News and Analysis