{"id":35255,"date":"2025-05-09T02:22:15","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T02:22:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/35255\/"},"modified":"2025-05-09T02:22:15","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T02:22:15","slug":"foolish-to-say-the-steelers-got-fleeced-in-george-pickens-trade-says-former-nfl-lineman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/35255\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Foolish To Say The Steelers Got Fleeced’ In George Pickens Trade, Says Former NFL Lineman"},"content":{"rendered":"

George Pickens is no longer a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. After three seasons of highlight catches, Pickens has been traded to the Dallas Cowboys.<\/a> The move doesn\u2019t completely come out of nowhere, but the timing is odd. The draft has come and gone, and the best free agents have signed. That leaves the Steelers with a hole at receiver and not many options to fix it. However, former NFL offensive lineman Ross Tucker doesn\u2019t think that\u2019s enough to say the Steelers lost this trade.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to assume that the Steelers took the best offer they had,\u201d Tucker said recently on his podcast.<\/a> \u201cSo no, the Steelers didn\u2019t get fleeced. We\u2019ll see how it plays out. It\u2019s one year for George Pickens, and then we\u2019ll see what happens after that.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I don\u2019t think people really think about all the other consequences. He needs a new contract. It\u2019s one year. He\u2019s had his issues. I think it\u2019s foolish to say the Steelers got fleeced.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Steelers have a pretty good track record of knowing when to move on from wide receivers\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you are saying the \u2018Steelers got fleeced!\u2019 you are saying the other 30 teams are idiots\u2026\u201d@RossTuckerNFL<\/a> on the Steelers trading George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys: pic.twitter.com\/Jkj6YI9y15<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) May 8, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Tucker is correct that it might be a little early to say the Steelers lost this trade. In return, they received a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick in a swap for a sixth-round pick. While those are future assets, Pittsburgh could use them in a separate deal, maybe even to help them move up in next year\u2019s draft.<\/p>\n

Replacing Pickens this year is going to be difficult, but the Steelers have options. Most of the free agents, like Keenan Allen and Amari Cooper, are past their prime but could still have some gas left in the thank. Also, the Steelers could make another trade for a receiver.<\/a> There\u2019s plenty of talent at that position in the league.<\/p>\n

Tucker is also correct that Pickens is going into the last year of his current contract. He could leave the Cowboys after this season. While they\u2019d get a compensatory pick to help make up for the third-round selection they gave to Pittsburgh, that probably wouldn\u2019t help them look like winners of this trade.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also no telling how things will go for Pickens in Dallas. His attitude could become even more of a problem. That\u2019s happened with previous Steelers receivers after they\u2019ve left Pittsburgh.<\/a><\/p>\n

Look at the Diontae Johnson trade last year. At the time, it seemed like the Steelers didn\u2019t get the best return possible. They received Donte Jackson and a late-round pick swap. Looking at how Johnson\u2019s career has gone since then, the Steelers were probably right to cut bait with him. Jackson struggled near the end of the year, but he recorded several big turnovers for the Steelers, so the return wasn\u2019t terrible.<\/p>\n

Maybe something similar will happen with the Pickens trade. Although it makes the Steelers worse for now, it could be the right move in the long run. Only time will tell.<\/p>\n