If you aren't in the camp fans who believe the Pittsburgh Steelers need to trade George Pickens during the 2025 offseason, you might be after hearing the latest bombshell report. Pickens didn't take the step forward everyone hoped he would in his third NFL season and his antics once again stole the show.
Now there's a whole new reason to be concerned with Pittsburgh's top wide receiver.
On January 14, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic released a report claiming that Pickens had showed up late to the Steelers' Christmas Day game against the Kansas City Chiefs. According to DeFabo, Pickens 'walked through the media entrance an hour and 25 minutes before kickoff.'
Excellent reporting from @MikeDeFabo. George Pickens showed up late for Chiefs Christmas game. That’s unacceptable. He should have been benched. Tomlin is the great enabler. pic.twitter.com/KtxfDGt9Oi
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) January 14, 2025
I don't need to explain how unprofessional this is. While the Steelers had already clinched the playoffs, Pittsburgh was looking to avoid handing over control of the AFC North to the Baltimore Ravens (which is exactly what happened).
Unfortunately, this wasn't Pickens' only offense.
DeFabo joined 93.7 The Fan to explain that Steelers players told him George Pickens is late for practice 'often.'
Mike DeFabo says on @937thefan that Steelers players told him George Pickens is late for practice “often”.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) January 14, 2025
Trade him now.
For a player who is supposed to be one of the leaders of the offense, this is the last thing you want to hear. Now Pittsburgh may have reached the point of no return with their star receiver and a trade feels more justifiable now than ever.
Steelers must trade George Pickens during the 2025 offseason
How did the Steelers find themselves in this situation with their top offensive weapon? Mike Tomlin should have put his foot down after repeated tardiness, and the Steelers head coach should have benched Pickens to teach him a lesson. But we are well past that now.
Pickens clearly isn't getting with the program and doesn't fit with the winning culture the Steelers look to instill in their players. He has been criticized for his me-first attitude in the past. The report of Pickens' flagrant tardiness comes after he's been under the microscope for questionable effort on the field and unacceptable responses to media questions.
Now the Steelers could be forced to trade Pickens during the offseason.
Other top Steelers wide receivers have been traded for far less. In fact, practically every top receiving option since Hines Ward has been sent packing from Pittsburgh. Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant were traded to the Raiders, Chase Claypool was sent to Chicago, and Diontae Johnson was traded to the Panthers. What makes George Pickens immune from getting exiled from the team?
You're either with the program or you are not, and Pickens has shown time and again he is not. It's time to do what needs to be done and trade him for anything the Pittsburgh Steelers can get for him at this point.