The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially ended the George Pickens experiment after three seasons, recouping a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 Day 3 pick swap for their troubles.
It ended, to an extent, in disarray. Pickens wasn’t going to receive a long-term deal with the Steelers. Trading for Seattle Seahawks dynamo DK Metcalf only drove that point home, rendering Pickens a second fiddle in a contract year.
Pickens is immensely talented, particularly within his specific role as an above-the-rim threat. But his inconsistencies on the field and his general volatility have accelerated his exit from Western Pennsylvania.
Pickens’ antics are the biggest reason why he’s no longer wearing black and gold. And insider Mark Kaboly’s recent Pickens story adds fuel to the Steelers’ post-trade fire.
“There has already been some stuff leaking out, like Pickens refusing to return calls/texts from his teammates," Kaboly wrote. "But I wouldn’t anticipate much more to be said moving forward other than the stuff we already know, like being late for team flights and buses and showing up late to the Chiefs game."
If nothing else, Kaboly’s report adds to the reasons why head coach Mike Tomlin said publicly that Pickens needed to grow up, and it’s one more strike against him for a fanbase that grew tired of unnecessary roughness penalties, Hail Mary scuffles, and Christmas Day tardiness stories.
In Dallas, Pickens will get more than a change of scenery – he’ll get a quarterback upgrade. Armed with Dak Prescott and an All-Pro sidekick, he’s in a much better position for professional success. Under the spotlight of America’s Team, that success will be magnified. So will his lesser moments, should they continue.
In either event, the Pittsburgh faithful will see a lot of Pickens in the coming year. In the immediate aftermath, neither the Steelers nor their fans have been given much reason to regret the trade.