The Pittsburgh Steelers essentially just fixed their wide receiver room with the DK Metcalf trade. With Metcalf and George Pickens, it feels like that is the duo the team will work with heading into 2025.
Despite Pickens' maturity issues on and off the field, his talent has never been the question. Yet, he is heading into the last year of his contract. Could that force the team to make a move?
If it did, there is one destination that might make sense. Pro Football Focus' Mason Cameron believes the Denver Broncos should be squarely in play for the star Steelers wideout.
“The Steelers acquired D.K. Metcalf via trade and subsequently extended the former Seattle Seahawks receiver with a massive deal worth over $30 million annually,” Cameron wrote. ”Given the unlikelihood of Pittsburgh allocating even more money at the position – with looming extension talks for T.J. Watt on the horizon – the probability of a Pickens trade is high. Metcalf and Pickens largely share similar skill sets as downfield threats that can win at the catch point, and with the latter’s contract set to expire after this season, teams will be interested.”
At the NFL Combine, Steelers general manager Omar Khan endorsed Pickens' future with the team, and stated they were looking forward to continuing to work with the talented wide receiver.
“I had a really solid exit meeting with GP, and I can tell you that he has a desire to be great,” Khan said. “And he has a desire to be great here. We have a desire for him to be great and to be great here. With respect of the contract, we will not express that publicly. Usually, those things are addressed at a later date.”
Pickens has been embroiled in notable questions throughout his tenure with the Steelers. This season alone, it was reported he showed up late to the team’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs, he pulled Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis down by the facemask at the end of that loss, and got into it with Browns cornerback Greg Newsome on a hail mary.
Pickens' talent is immense and the Steelers could have an explosive attack with Metcalf. So, they either have to move him if they do not want to pay him, or pay him this offseason as he heads into the last year of his contract. Right now, it feels like the Steelers will middle ground this, and not pay Pickens, and try to have him play out the last year of his deal.
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