Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens, now with the Dallas Cowboys, didn’t stay silent after the Steelers made headlines by trading star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
On his Instagram story, Pickens posted:
“Super happy for you bro!!!!! Back to beautiful places in life lol.”
It was a seemingly light-hearted message, but the tone carried more weight than your average congratulations. To me, it sounded like a subtle but pointed jab at the organization he recently left.
The comment didn’t surprise me, but it did add context. It read less like a celebration of Minkah’s future and more like a shot at what both Pickens and Fitzpatrick were leaving behind.
Pickens' frustration with the Steelers has already been made public. His time in Pittsburgh showed flashes of brilliance and growing tension. From cryptic social media posts to body language, it was clear he never felt fully settled.
But what we hadn’t heard much about was the discomfort surrounding Minkah Fitzpatrick.
The Pittsburgh Steelers can ignore George Pickens' irrelevant trade comments
93.7 The Fan addressed chemistry and communication problems within the Steelers’ defense. According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Ray Fittipaldo, those issues weren’t random.
“A lot of that was Minkah,” Fittipaldo said bluntly.
Now, does that mean Fitzpatrick was a cancer? I don’t think so.
But if there were issues behind the scenes, and if those issues involved one of your highest-paid and highest-profile players, then trading him — especially for someone like Jalen Ramsey — starts to make sense.
READ MORE: Newest Steelers should send thank-you cards to ex-Dolphins teammate
Let’s not forget Fitzpatrick’s performance hasn’t matched his past accolades recently.
One interception in the last two seasons is a steep drop for a three-time All-Pro. When your production doesn’t match your presence, tough decisions follow.
Pickens and Fitzpatrick are headed toward what they believe are “greener pastures,” and maybe Pickens is right.
But in September, Instagram stories won’t matter.
That’s when fans will see if the Steelers’ gamble pays off — and if a new defensive identity, free from the growing noise, can take shape in Pittsburgh.