After watching George Pickens post a strong season last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers initially appeared to be the clear losers in the trade. While the Dallas Cowboys landed a talented receiver, reality is beginning to set in. The Steelers’ decision to move Pickens stemmed from their desire to avoid a potentially difficult contract negotiation, a concern that now seems increasingly justified.
During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, ESPN's Adam Schefter stated, "he wants a long-term contract, or he would like a trade."
Tension could be brewing between Pickens and the Cowboys before the regular season approaches. He's seeking a new contract, but Dallas has already placed the franchise tag on its top playmaker. While the tag would provide a significant pay raise, it offers no long‑term security and is not an efficient solution for either side.
The Cowboys would prefer Pickens to play under the franchise tag and revisit the situation later, but he does not appear receptive to that approach. Even after news broke on Wednesday that Pickens had signed his tag, it seems as though the drama is far from over.
This is the exact situation the Steelers aimed to avoid when they traded their former top receiver. While Pickens’ talent consistently outweighed his issues in the locker room, those concerns never fully disappeared. Dallas initially benefited from the best part of having Pickens on the roster, his on‑field production, but is now dealing with the challenge of contract negotiations.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers WR George Pickens wants a new contract or traded out of Dallas
Pickens either wants to be traded or receive a significant contract extension from the Cowboys.
In either scenario, he is pushing to secure a new deal sooner rather than later. The longer this contentious negotiation drags on, the more likely it is to become ugly. The Steelers declined to invest heavily in the receiver due to long‑term concerns about his impact on the locker room, and Dallas is now learning that lesson firsthand.
Schefter also reported that members of Pickens’ camp reached out to other teams to gauge potential trade interest, but “nothing materialized.” He added that the Cowboys have been adamant about their intention to keep the Pro Bowler, even after making it clear that they do not plan to sign him to a long‑term deal this offseason.
It comes as no surprise that the situation has begun to turn toxic. Pickens’ camp has explored alternative options in the event he becomes available via trade. While he would undoubtedly draw considerable interest if he hit the market, fewer teams are currently in need of offensive weapons following the NFL Draft. That said, Pickens would still represent an immediate upgrade.
Pickens is pushing either for a new contract from Dallas or a trade that would allow him to secure a substantial extension elsewhere.
The Cowboys appear reluctant to commit to a long‑term deal in the near future, though both sides may simply be employing firm negotiating tactics. Regardless, this ongoing tension between Pickens and Dallas is precisely the kind of situation the Steelers sought to avoid by moving on from him.
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