Many believed the Pittsburgh Steelers selected to not commerce broad receiver George Pickens this offseason as a result of they anticipated signing veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers and aimed to supply him with a powerful group of playmakers.
Thus, the soccer group was stunned when NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero revealed on Wednesday morning that the Steelers had been sending Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round draft choose to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 third-round choice and a 2027 fifth-rounder.
Throughout an look on Pittsburgh sports activities radio station 93.7 The Fan, Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Submit-Gazette addressed whether or not the membership’s buying and selling of Pickens reveals that Rodgers will not be a part of the group forward of the upcoming season.
“I feel this determination to commerce George Pickens is completely separate from what occurs with Aaron Rodgers,” Fittipaldo defined, as Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot shared. “However in case you do wish to venture out and take into consideration how would Aaron Rodgers mesh with any individual like George Pickens, I do not assume it will be good. I am unable to sit right here and identify you a quarterback who would mesh nicely with a receiver who does not run his routes correctly, who does not attend conferences [and] is late.”
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter famous after the draft that Pickens “has had some punctuality points” throughout his professional profession, which started when the Steelers made him a second-round choose within the 2022 draft. NFL insider James Palmer of Bleacher Report stated issues had “not gone nicely behind the scenes between George Pickens and the Pittsburgh Steelers and everyone concerned.”
Pickens routinely gave head coach Mike Tomlin headaches, resembling when the 24-year-old allegedly showed up late for Pittsburgh’s 2024 Christmas Day recreation. In January, The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo stated throughout a radio interview that Pickens was “late for apply usually” and lacked “a sure stage of professionalism.”
Pickens started Wednesday within the final year of his rookie contract. Earlier this offseason, the Steelers signed DK Metcalf to a five-year deal price $150M to amass him from the Seattle Seahawks.
Pittsburgh was not serious about giving Pickens the kind of multi-year settlement he’ll doubtless need from the Cowboys or a special membership.
As for Rodgers, he reportedly “has stayed in comparatively fixed contact with [Mike] Tomlin” because the 41-year-old visited the Steelers in March. Thus, it feels like Rodgers might have identified a while in the past that Pittsburgh may transfer on from Pickens for the fitting value this spring.
