The Steelers have a major talent and a major problem on their hands. Despite being an immense talent, George Pickens is backsliding with this team. From a poor attitude to now taking plays off, this situation is getting critical, and it could force some drastic actions in 2024.
While you would hate to have to trade a player as talented as Pickens, the Steelers may need to in order to help with their own locker room health. Pickens is far too focused on himself, and it is now causing a rift between him and his fellow teammates. Assuming he is traded, here are the most likely trade partners for Pickens in 2024.
1. The Steelers could trade with the Titans
The Titans are a team in transition right now. While they had a short period of success, Ryan Tannehill regressed and Derrick Henry is beginning to slow down. Now, the Titans seemingly have their quarterback of the future in Will Levis, but the rest of the offense needs to be sorted out.
While Henry could stick around another season, it seems more and more likely that the team will ultimately part ways with him. Even if they don’t, a shift in focus to the passing game is likely on the horizon. This offense is lacking targets though, and that is where Pickens can fit in.
Pickens can give the team a true top target alongside DeAndre Hopkins. With age likely catching up to him soon, it provides Levis a younger down-the-field threat. This would work well considering the arm strength that Levis possess. Adding Pickens gives a young quarterback another top target and would be worth exploring in 2024.
2. The Steelers could trade with the Lions
When drafting out this post, I really wanted to find a team in the NFC to give Pickens to as opposed to keeping him in the AFC. Unfortunately, I struggled to find a plethora of teams over there that make sense. Detroit stands out as a potential fit though.
Despite a long history of poor play, the Lions are seemingly on the uptrend. They have built up every position besides quarterback, which has in turn allowed Jared Goff to excel. While his future with the team isn’t certain, it seems likely that he will stick around. While Goff has looked good, he also benefits from a great cast around him.
While Amon-Ra St. Brown has become a dynamic option in the slot and outside, the Lions are missing a true down-the-field threat. Pickens can be just that. While I highlighted that Pickens has gotten better over the short and middle of the field, he is still best deep. That would aid the Lions offense.
They wanted to have that type of a threat in Jameson Williams, but he hasn’t panned out completely yet. He has struggled to see the field due to injuries and suspensions, and even when he has been active he hasn’t been dynamic. Pickens would fill that role well.
If the Lions want to keep rolling with Goff, providing him ample weapons is a must. Pickens is cheap and adds a new element to their offense. It would make a lot of sense for Detroit to at least explore adding another target, and Pickens could make sense if he were to be dealt in the offseason.
3. The Steelers could trade with the Texans
In a similar vein to the Titans, the Texans are seemingly on the right path and have their quarterback of the future. C.J. Stroud has been electric as a rookie and looks the part of the next elite gunslinger. The next step is loading up the team around him.
Stroud will have a very manageable cap hit over the next few seasons, and with him looking so good so early on, the Texans can go all in this offseason. Aggressive spending to add as much talent as possible is likely. This should include adding to the receiver room. Tank Dell has looked good but lacks size. Nico Collins has played well but isn’t the talent that Pickens is.
Houston also has the benefit of a plethora of draft capital. The Deshaun Watson trade has provided the team with a slew of resources to work with. With their quarterback situation worked out, they won’t need to move around and up in order to get their guy. Instead, they can use those resources to bring in a potentially elite receiver.
While the Texans have a few good-quality weapons already, Pickens can put them over the top. The AFC is a hotbed of talent right now, and if the Texans want to take that step into elite territory, they need to aggressively add talent. They have a real shot to go from zeros to heroes in just a few seasons, and Pickens can help them in that regard.
4. The Steelers could trade with the Cowboys
Staying in Texas for this next team, the final two options are different builds than the previously mentioned ones. Both of the last two teams have steadily been some of the best teams in the league for the past few years. They look to add a talent like Pickens in order to put them over the top cheaply.
The Cowboys already have a dynamic receiver in CeeDee Lamb, but they lack any other great options besides him. Branden Cooks has played a nice bit role, but he doesn’t have the upside that Pickens does. Beyond that, it is a bunch of relative no-names that offer very little for this offense.
Lamb would still be the defacto top dog for the Cowboys, but Pickens would provide them with a legitimate threat opposite of him. The Cowboys have one of the more expensive rosters as it stands right now as well, so they could add a better weapon in Pickens while still on his rookie deal.
Pittsburgh would also benefit from this trade. Not only would they get whatever the value is for Pickens in the deal, but they would also be sending him to the NFC. This means they would see him less often, always nice when dealing away a good talent. Dallas improves their offense for cheap and the Steelers get rid of a locker room issue, so this deal makes a lot of sense.
5. The Steelers could trade with the Chiefs
Of all the names on this list, I genuinely think that the Chiefs would make the most sense and have the most interest in acquiring Pickens in the offseason. While still one of the premiere teams in the league, their offense has failed to find a lot of production from their receivers. Travis Kelce has been his usual self and Rashee Rice has come along, but the rest of the room has been quiet.
From Skyy Moore failing to find an established role to Kadarius Toney struggling to catch passes, Patrick Mahomes is doing the most with the least right now. The Chiefs will certainly be in the market for another receiver in the offseason, and that is where Pickens could come in.
He would go from one of the league's worst offenses to one of the best, and would likely be slotted in as the primary starter for Kansas City at receiver. Assuming his play remains around where it has been, Pickens will likely be an impact player from the get-go with this move, and playing with an elite quarterback should propel his game.
The Steelers would probably like to see Pickens end up in the NFC if given the choice, but no team in the league makes more sense for Pickens than the Chiefs. He fills a massive hole for their team and his contract won’t be an issue right away, making him affordable. This is a move that makes a lot of sense for both teams on paper.
The Steelers and Pickens are quickly approaching an impasse. His attitude isn’t worth the talent right now, and if things don’t get better, he could be shown the door. If he is dealt away this offseason, these five landing spots make the most sense.