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15 hours ago
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After acquiring wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks earlier this offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers felt comfortable exploring the trade market for their other wideouts on the roster.
Then, on Wednesday, the Steelers agreed to a trade with the Dallas Cowboys that sends George Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick to the NFC East for a 2026 third and 2027 fifth.
Pittsburgh originally drafted Pickens in the second round (No. 52 overall) of the 2022 NFL draft out of Georgia after the wideout helped the Bulldogs win a national championship in his final collegiate season.
Over his three professional seasons, Pickens recorded 174 receptions for 2,841 yards and 12 touchdowns in 48 games. Last year, he caught 59 passes for 900 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games.
Pro Football Focus gave him a 76.9 overall grade for his performance last year, ranking him 27th out of 98 qualified NFL receivers in 2024.
After the news broke, Steelers fans rushed to social media to share their displeasure with team's decision-making.
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"@Steelers Make the Rooney's sell the team," said @Jr717_daKid.
"The Steelers have no plan… it’s official…. Just a one legged duck swimming in circles," wrote @yinzsanity412.
"The #Steelers’ front office…
- Has not solidified a starting QB for this season… It’s May 7
- Traded George Pickens not even 2 months after finally compiling two good WRs
- Is perfectly content with Mike Tomlin accomplishing nothing in the playoff
"Hard to get on board, honestly," PFF's Bradley Locker stated.
"All I’m gonna say. Absolutely stupid the way the Steelers have handled this offseason," Steelers Nations' Anthony G. Halkias II wrote. "And to cap it all off you trade George Pickens away for nothing? I’m genuinely sick to my damn stomach. What an awful decision Pittsburgh just made."
At this point in the offseason, the frustration is understandable, as it's hard to see the Steelers' plan for the 2025 season. They have Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson and Will Howard on the quarterback depth chart and are still waiting around for Aaron Rodgers to make his decision.
If it's one of the three currently on the roster who have to lead the offense in 2025, they'll be throwing to DK Metcalf, Robert Woods and Calvin Austin III as their top three wide receivers. And, while that room isn't horrible, an inexperienced or less-talented quarterback would benefit from having Pickens in there as well.
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