Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 1, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers have several key players who are set to become free agents this offseason, but it is one of their former players who is believed to be at the top of everybody’s list.
Pro Football Sports Network named former Steelers wide receiver George Pickens as the No. 1 free agent of 2026.
“Even if it’s just for the 2025 season, the Dallas Cowboys trading a package headlined by a third-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for George Pickens was a total steal,” Jacob Infante wrote. “Based on PFSN’s NFL WR Impact Metric (WRi), Pickens ranked third in the league behind only Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba with an 88.4 score. He had long been a reliable weapon during his time with the Steelers, tallying 2,841 yards in three years. However, he blossomed into a true WR1 in Dallas, which is usually very hard to find in free agency.”
Pickens, 24, is coming off a career year with the Cowboys, during which he recorded a career-high 93 catches for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens runs with the ball against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 8m 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
That, of course, is why many have tabbed the trade as one of the worst in NFL history.
“I think that trading George Pickens is probably going to go down as one of the worst deals in NFL history, and I mean that. I’m sorry to the Steelers. I just think it’s true,” Kay Adams said on the Up & Adams Show.
However, even after Pickens had a breakout season, Dallas is still expected to franchise-tag him, which would pay him around $28 million next season, instead of signing him to a long-term deal.
Why? Because of the potential distractions Pickens brings on and off the field. Pickens’ kept mostly quiet during his first season with the Cowboys, but he was still benched to start one of Dallas’ games in 2025.
That may scare off some teams from committing long-term to Pickens, but it’s safe to assume someone is willing to give him the massive payday he is looking for if the Cowboys are not.
A second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Steelers, Pickens has recorded 267 catches for 4,270 yards and 21 touchdowns in his professional career.
Mentioned In This Article: Dallas Cowboys George Pickens Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers