George Pickens
Getty
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie wide receiver George Pickens was visible upset along the sidelines early in the fourth quarter in Week 13.
After being traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Dallas Cowboys before the start of last season, veteran wide receiver George Pickens had a career year. He recorded 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. It was stunning to see that he wasn’t even voted to the Pro Bowl. But after a banner year in Dallas, his future might be fairly uncertain.
While appearing on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday, ESPN senior insider Adam Schefter spoke about the likelihood of Pickens signing a long-term deal in Dallas. As things stand now and as Schefter notes, it appears unlikely that anything massive comes to fruition soon.
The Pittsburgh Steelers Could’ve Used George Pickens Last Season
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 03: George Pickens #3 of the Dallas Cowboys rushes ahead of Max Melton #16 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on November 03, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
GettyGeorge Pickens led the Cowboys in receiving last season.
Here is what Schefter said about Pickens’ immediate future in Dallas:
“I’m skeptical that there will be an extension. It’s early. It’s April 2nd. But George Pickens is not allowed to be in that building unless he signs the franchise tender. He’s not going to sign that franchise tender without there being a long-term deal. I don’t see a long-term deal coming into focus until right before the deadline, which will be the middle of July, which tells you that there’s a real probability that George Pickens will not be there for the offseason program…I just think it’s set up right now to be a very tricky, challenging situation for both sides.”
Pat McAfee
“It’s early but I’m skeptical that there will be an extension for George Pickens..
He isn’t gonna sign that franchise tender without their being a long term deal..
I don’t see a long term deal coming into focus until right before the deadline in July” ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive
Pickens is more than worth a major contract extension after showing what he showed this past season for Dallas. Of course, he showed signs of this at the beginning of his career in the Steel City. He recorded over 2,800 receiving yards across his first three NFL seasons with the Steelers. His best season came in Pittsburgh in 2023 when he recorded 63 receptions for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns.
The Steelers Lacked Production From the Wide Receiver Room in 2025
DK Metcalf
GettyDK Metcalf led the Steelers in receiving last season.
Before trading Pickens away, the Steelers traded for and extended two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DK Metcalf. While he wasn’t necessarily the star pass-catcher that he was in Seattle at the beginning of his career, he did lead the team with 850 receiving yards and six touchdown catches.
However, the Steelers were clearly lacking production in the wide receiver room. Metcalf was the only wide receiver to eclipse 500 receiving yards. Former Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III was the second-leading wide receiver on the team with 31 receptions for 372 yards and three touchdowns. The Pittsburgh offense leaned heavily on the tight end room and running backs for production through the air. GM Omar Khan tried to bring in more veteran help with the likes of Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen, but it didn’t change the trajectory of the season.
This speaks to the greatness of future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whose future is still unknown. Despite being 42 and battling a fractured wrist, the four-time MVP and Super Bowl champion was able to shoulder the load at least one more time. Without his 25 total touchdowns and ability to be safe with the football, Pittsburgh won the division title for the first time in five years. Nevertheless, the Steelers needed to add more wide receiver help this offseason, and they did by trading for two-time 1,000-yard wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.