The Steelers have been desperate for wide receiver help since trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers during the 2024 offseason. Over the past year, Pittsburgh's front office has tried desperately to land a receiver in a blockbuster trade.
According to recent insider remarks, the Steelers could execute a trade involving a wide receiver... but not for a receiver.
Trib Live's Chris Adamski spoke on the #1 Cochran Sports Showdown where he mentioned the possibility of the Pittsburgh Steelers trading star wide receiver George Pickens to the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2025 offseason.
"I think there's a chance that a team like the Raiders — the Raiders actually make a lot of sense — comes in and just makes an offer they can't refuse," Adamski said." Or it gets leaked out there in the spring, , 'Is George available?' Just put that flier out there and see if those teams make them a high-draft pick offer that you almost have to take."
Trading away a top-flight receiver seems counterproductive, especially for a team that already needs help at the position. But if Pickens isn't getting with the program, a trade is plausible in 2025.
Steelers trading George Pickens isn't a wild thought
When things are going right, Pickens often shows up in the ways you'd expect from a number one receiver: he makes big plays and showcases his game-changing ability. However, too often when the Steelers are losing or when he's not getting the ball, Pickens becomes part of the problem.
Last year, fans and NFL media toyed with the idea of benching Pickens displaying disgraceful effort on the field. These incidents flared up again early in the 2024 season when the dynamic receiver appeared to be running half-speed and taking plays off as a blocker.
With the Steelers, you're either all in or all out.
Though Diontae Johnson was still under contract, the Steelers sent him packing because he didn't get with the program. This was a receiver who logged over 107 catches for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns in 2021 while making a Pro Bowl. But his impressive statistical output didn't help him stay in Pittsburgh.
Pickens is far more talented than Johnson and likely less of an issue, but nobody should be surprised to see the Steelers trade a diva wide receiver. It wasn't long ago that Mike Tomlin traded Martavis Bryant and Antonio Brown. Ironically, the Raiders were at the receiving end of both trades.
It's hard to say what the asking price would be for Pickens, as every NFL team is well aware of his antics over the years and even in his college days. There was a reason ten wide receivers were selected ahead of Pickens in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Considering their history, the price may not matter if the Steelers have made up their mind. Despite being a perennial All-Pro, Pittsburgh received just a third-round pick in the Antonio Brown trade. Last offseason, Pittsburgh was willing to swap their Diontae Johnson — their most productive receiver since Brown — for an inconsistent, injury-prone cornerback in Donte Jackson.
Perhaps some team bites on a Pickens trade for a Day 2 draft pick. The Steelers could use this to double up at the wide receiver position in the NFL Draft while spending big in free agency to fill the void.
George Pickens isn't likely to be traded anywhere. The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a rapidly closing Super Bowl window and will want every weapon at their disposal. However, history has shown us this team has no problem trading troubled receivers, and it's possible Pickens could be next in line.