After weeks of trade rumors, the Pittsburgh Steelers finally pulled the trigger on moving the talented but problematic George Pickens. The Dallas Cowboys gave up their 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder in exchange for Pickens and a 2026 sixth-rounder.
The move signifies several things in my eyes. The Steelers will likely lean on the run game even more in 2025, and the DK Metcalf move allowed them to feel comfortable moving their former second-round receiver. It is also a minor endorsement of the rest of the wide receiver room, perhaps signaling internal optimism for 2024 third-round pick Roman Wilson.
Perhaps the most interesting signal being sent, however, is one many fans have been wanting. The Steelers seem to be unwilling to put up with major immaturity at the receiver position any longer.
Pittsburgh Steelers trading George Pickens sends message to the rest of receiving room
For years now, the Steelers have consistently found fantastic receivers outside of the first round. Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, Antonio Brown, Diontae Johnson, and George Pickens are just some of the major contributors drafted on Day 2 or later over the past 15 or so years.
What do most of them have in common, however? Character concerns galore. Every Steelers fan is well aware of the many problems that Brown has caused since leaving the team, and both Johnson and Pickens are gone despite being very productive in the Black and Gold.
While Brown is in a league of his own in terms of questionable actions, the Steelers trading away both Johnson and Pickens is a sign that they want more adults in the receiving room. Talented as they both are, their penchant for immature actions on the field left a bad taste in fans' mouths.
With both now playing elsewhere, Pittsburgh's current receiver depth chart should take notice. No matter how good you may be at producing, how you choose to carry yourself on and off the field seems to be more important than ever to Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan.
The Steelers offense is very likely to be worse off without Pickens in the lineup, but they may be better off long term by not paying a player with his immaturity.