The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a bold move, trading away wide receiver George Pickens, and it’s got the Steel City buzzing with a mix of nostalgia and uncertainty. For longtime defensive end Cam Heyward, this isn’t a new script—he’s seen this story play out before. On his podcast, Heyward took a deep dive into the Steelers’ history with their wide receivers, and what he found might surprise you.
Heyward laid it out plain and simple: “You’ve got to look at the track record of trading wide receivers. There’s been some good history behind this—knowing when to do it, what to expect.” He dug into the numbers and pointed out something wild: only three or four receivers in Steelers history have stuck around past their rookie deals. “You had AB, Diontae Johnson, Hines Ward, and I think JuJu for another year,” Heyward said. “For the most part, they know when to re-sign and when to trade. We’ll see what happens—we could be a better team because of it.” That’s a pretty small list for a franchise with such a rich legacy of pass-catchers. Names like Antonio Brown and Hines Ward are legends in Pittsburgh, but the fact that so few have stayed long-term shows the Steelers aren’t afraid to move on when they think the timing’s right.
Now, let’s talk about George Pickens. The guy’s got talent that jumps off the screen—big plays, highlight-reel catches, the works. But there’s a flip side. Pickens was known for losing his cool on the field, and those fiery moments often led to costly penalties that left the Steelers shaking their heads. It wasn’t just a one-off; it became a pattern, and for an organization that prides itself on discipline, that’s a tough pill to swallow. Sometimes, a change of scenery is the best move for everyone, and that might be the case here. Pickens has the skills to thrive elsewhere, but maybe Pittsburgh needed a fresh start to keep the locker room on track.
Heyward didn’t say outright whether the Steelers are better off without Pickens, but he’s clearly thinking about the bigger picture. The team isn’t starting from scratch at receiver—they’ve got DK Metcalf stepping up as the clear No. 1 option. Metcalf proved his worth in Seattle as a top-tier target, and now in Pittsburgh, he’s ready to be the go-to guy. Under Mike Tomlin’s tough-love coaching, a player like Metcalf—or even a young prospect like that Ole Miss standout Heyward mentioned—could really shine. Tomlin’s got a knack for getting the most out of his players, and that hard-nosed approach might be exactly what this receiving corps needs to take the next step.
But here’s where things get tricky for the Steelers. They’re in a bit of a transitional spot. They made a big swing in the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting Ohio State quarterback Will Howard to be their future franchise signal-caller. Howard’s got the tools—size, arm strength, and a knack for making plays—but Tomlin’s never been one to rush a rookie onto the field. He likes his quarterbacks to sit, learn, and grow before taking the reins, so don’t expect Howard to start right away. That leaves Pittsburgh in a weird spot, especially after they were in the mix for Aaron Rodgers during the offseason. Rodgers didn’t end up in black and gold, but the pursuit shows the Steelers are hungry for a proven quarterback to lead them now, even as they plan for the future.
Losing Pickens stings because he was a legit weapon on the outside. His production backed up his talent—he could stretch the field and make defenses pay. But there might’ve been more going on behind the scenes. Tomlin’s comments about Pickens’ time with the team were cryptic, hinting at deeper issues we might not fully know about. Whatever the reason, the Steelers are banking on the old “addition by subtraction” philosophy. If they can cut out distractions and rally around their core, they might just come out stronger on the other side.
So, where does this leave Pittsburgh as we head into the 2025-26 season? It’s a bit of a gamble, but the Steelers have been here before. They’ve got a history of making tough calls on receivers and still finding ways to win—just look at how they’ve stayed competitive even after moving on from stars like AB and Diontae Johnson. With Metcalf leading the receiving corps, a potential franchise quarterback in Howard, and veterans like Heyward anchoring the defense, there’s plenty to be excited about. Heyward, for his part, sounds ready for whatever comes next. He’s seen the Steelers navigate these waters before, and he’s bracing for an intriguing season ahead. Will this trade be the spark that pushes Pittsburgh to new heights, or will they miss Pickens more than they expect? We’ll find out soon enough, but one thing’s for sure—this team’s never boring to watch.
