The Pittsburgh Steelers traded away George Pickens ahead of the 2025 NFL season. Pickens had spent three seasons in Pittsburgh after being drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. His rookie season in the Steel City showed flashes of brilliance, and over his three years with the team, he essentially carried the entire Steelers offense. However, Pickens was not without controversy. Many fans blamed him for various chemistry issues within the team, whether fairly or not, and this tension ultimately played a role in former head coach Mike Tomlin’s decision to trade him to the Dallas Cowboys.
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Former Steelers HC Mike Tomlin high fives George Pickens after a huge play against the Commanders in Week 10 of the 2024 regular season.
Pickens turned in an exceptional season during his lone year in Dallas, catching 93 passes for 1,429 yards and scoring nine touchdowns. He far exceeded all expectations and clearly proved he deserved a big contract. Yet questions remain over whether Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones will pay him what he is worth or let him walk in free agency. According to CBS Sports NFL insider Zachary Pereles, if the Cowboys fail to meet Pickens’ demands, he will likely look elsewhere for a lucrative deal.
That’s where the Baltimore Ravens come into play. They could swoop in and offer Pickens a massive contract, creating a true nightmare scenario for the Steelers. After years of relying on him and then letting him go, the thought of Pickens thriving with a rival team adds a dramatic twist to his already eventful NFL story. Steelers fans are left to wonder if the team’s decision to trade him could come back to haunt them in a major way.
“The Cowboys would be foolish to lose Pickens after his breakout 93-catch, 1,429-yard season earned him All-Pro honors,” Pereles said. “Jerry Jones has already expressed a desire to keep him, and after losing Micah Parsons, he can’t let Pickens leave. Other suitors: Commanders, Ravens, Broncos.”
The worrisome part for Steelers fans, of course, is the potential landing spot for Pickens. If he stays in Dallas or signs with teams like the Washington Commanders or even the Denver Broncos, it’s not ideal, but manageable. The real problem comes if he ends up with the Ravens.Â
Gene J. Puskar / AP Photo
Former Steelers star wide receiver George Pickens catches a pass against the Ravens in Week 11 of the 2023 NFL season.
Pickens clearly has a vendetta over how things played out in the Steel City. He is an incredibly talented wide receiver, and his 2025 season proved he is one of the best in the NFL. He will look to build on that performance and will command a massive deal for what he accomplished last year.
If a rival like the Ravens makes a move to land Pickens, it would create a nightmare scenario for the Steelers. They would have to face him twice a year, and he is not a player you enjoy going up against, whether you love him or hate him. His talent, combined with the way he plays on the field, strikes fear into opposing secondaries and makes him a game-changing weapon.
Steelers May Have Messed Up With George Pickens
There are a few things to consider when looking back at how the Pickens saga played out in Pittsburgh. Yes, Pickens had his fair share of issues, but for the most part, he was frustrated with how he was used and the lack of success the offense had. In Dallas, he was truly happy because he was playing with elite offensive talent in a proven system that got him involved.Â
Joshua Gunter / Cleveland.com
Former Steelers WR George Pickens fights with former Brown Greg Newsome II.
Pickens was often misunderstood in Pittsburgh. In 2025, the Steelers had DK Metcalf, who was just as much of a headcase, if not more, and for the most part, not nearly as talented as Pickens. Maybe the Steelers should not have traded him at all, or maybe they should have, but without acquiring Metcalf. A lot of things can be debated, but one thing is clear. Pickens back in the AFC North would not be ideal for the Steelers.
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