The Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting pretty with a 4-1 record this season following their dismantling of the Cleveland Browns, winning 23-9 in Week 6. While they have managed to be successful so far, the offense has lacked the firepower fans were hoping for when Aaron Rodgers joined the team this offseason.
Much of the blame for that falls on a lackluster group of playmakers, with DK Metcalf being the only real difference-maker in the passing game.
Because of the struggles the offense has faced, it's hard not to wonder what it would look like if they still had wide receiver George Pickens on the roster. The former Steeler has been tearing it up for the Cowboys ever since he arrived in Dallas, and his game against the Panthers this week was his best work yet.
George Pickens' recent performance has Pittsburgh Steelers fans questioning his departure
It's been discussed ad nauseam, but Pickens' talent had nothing to do with his exile from Pittsburgh. It's clear as day watching him play with a legitimate high-end QB like Dak Prescott that he possesses real No.1 receiver ability.
It was his demeanor on and off the field that soured coaches on his future with the organization, as he made several memorable errors that cost the Steelers during his tenure. He also lacked the consistency that teams often expect from their top targets, thanks to a playstyle that requires full trust from his QBs.
He has clearly hit his stride in Dallas playing with Prescott, as he ranks third in the NFL with 525 receiving yards following his nine-catch, 168-yard explosion against the Panthers on Sunday. He is also tied with Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown for the league lead with six touchdown receptions.
Obviously, his numbers in Dallas are inflated due to a pass-happy approach and the injury to star receiver CeeDee Lamb, but it's hard to argue that the former Steeler hasn't been one of the best receivers in the NFL through six weeks.
Would Pickens be putting up anywhere close to those numbers in Pittsburgh? Absolutely not. Still, a duo of Metcalf and himself could have been a nightmare for defenses to prepare for.
Overall, I still believe that both teams got what they wanted from the offseason trade. The Steelers acquired a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft (that they will be the host city for), and the Cowboys got a receiver capable of performances like he has had so far this season. While it would have been interesting to see how Pickens and Metcalf would have played off each other, moving on seemed inevitable after how last season ended.