The Pittsburgh Steelers’ trade of wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys on May 7, 2025, for a 2026 third-round pick, a 2027 fifth-round pick, and a 2027 sixth-round pick swap, as reported by NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, sent ripples through the NFL. Many speculated the Steelers held onto Pickens during the offseason to pair him with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a free agent they’ve pursued since March. Instead, the trade—coupled with off-field issues and the acquisition of DK Metcalf—suggests Pittsburgh prioritized roster harmony and draft capital over keeping a talented but troubled receiver. Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo, speaking on 93.7 The Fan, dismissed any link between the Pickens trade and Rodgers’ potential signing, but the move raises questions about Pittsburgh’s plans at quarterback and their offensive identity. Let’s unpack the trade, its implications for Rodgers, and what it means for both teams.
Pickens, a 2022 second-round pick (No. 52 overall) out of Georgia, was a polarizing talent in Pittsburgh. His 2023 season—63 catches, 1,140 yards, five TDs, and a league-leading 18.1 yards per catch—showcased his deep-threat ability, but 2024 was rockier: 59 catches, 900 yards, three TDs in 14 games, marred by a hamstring injury and off-field drama. His 15.3 yards per catch and 2.98 yards per route run (per PFF) kept him elite, but incidents like a scuffle with Cleveland’s Greg Newsome II and two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties frustrated coach Mike Tomlin. ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted Pickens’ “punctuality issues,” including tardiness for a 2024 Christmas Day game against Kansas City, while The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo reported frequent late practices and a lack of professionalism. Bleacher Report’s James Palmer added that things “have not gone well behind the scenes,” painting Pickens as a locker-room headache.
The Steelers’ acquisition of DK Metcalf from Seattle in March 2025 for a 2025 second-round pick and a four-year, $132 million extension signaled a shift. Metcalf’s 2024 season (81 catches, 1,234 yards, eight TDs) and 6-foot-4 frame made him a cornerstone WR1, reducing the need for Pickens, who’s in the final year of his $6.8 million rookie deal, per Spotrac. Pittsburgh’s reluctance to extend Pickens, whose market value is $94 million over four years, per Spotrac, stemmed from his behavior and the team’s investment in Metcalf. The trade nets Pittsburgh valuable draft capital—nine picks in 2026, including three in the top 100—while clearing $1.4 million in 2025 cap space. With Calvin Austin III (34 catches, 456 yards) and rookie Roman Wilson (22 catches, 298 yards) as depth, the Steelers’ WR room remains solid behind Metcalf.
Fittipaldo’s comments on 93.7 The Fan, relayed by Steelers Depot’s Ross McCorkle, emphasize that the Pickens trade was “totally separate” from Rodgers’ potential signing. “If you do want to project out and think about how would Aaron Rodgers mesh with somebody like George Pickens, I don’t think it would be good,” Fittipaldo said. “I can’t sit here and name you a quarterback who would mesh well with a receiver who doesn’t run his routes properly, who doesn’t attend meetings [and] is late.” Pickens’ inconsistent route-running (78.2 PFF receiving grade) and reported lapses clashed with Pittsburgh’s disciplined culture under Tomlin, who benched him for a series in Week 13 of 2024 after a one-catch, zero-yard game against Cincinnati, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.
For Dallas, Pickens is a coup. The Cowboys, coming off a 7-10 season, needed a No. 2 receiver to complement CeeDee Lamb (101 catches, 1,194 yards in 2024). Pickens’ 52.9% contested-catch rate and 14.2 average depth of target (per PFF) pair perfectly with Lamb’s 7.8 ADOT and 583 yards after catch. Dak Prescott, fresh off a four-year, $240 million extension, gets a 24-year-old with 2,978 career yards to boost an offense that ranked 20th in points (20.8 per game). Coach Brian Schottenheimer’s up-tempo scheme, which averaged 27.4 points in Washington in 2024, should exploit Pickens’ 15.3 yards per catch, though his maturity issues—late practices, a near-trade request in April, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler—must align with Dallas’ locker-room reset. The trade cost, a third- and fifth-rounder, is a bargain for a player who led the NFL in yards per catch in 2023 (18.1).
Rodgers’ status with Pittsburgh remains fluid. The 41-year-old, coming off a 2024 season with the Jets (3,726 yards, 26 TDs, 10 INTs in 15 games), has “stayed in relatively constant contact” with Tomlin since a March visit, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. His $23.5 million cap hit in 2025, the final year of his Jets deal, makes him a trade or cut candidate, and Pittsburgh’s interest persists despite Russell Wilson’s 2024 performance (3,299 yards, 23 TDs) and Justin Fields’ 1,106 rushing yards. Rodgers, a four-time MVP, could elevate Metcalf and TE Pat Freiermuth (51 catches, 528 yards), but his 60.1% completion rate and 7.2 YPA in 2024 suggest decline. Fittipaldo’s point—that Pickens’ unreliability wouldn’t suit Rodgers’ precision—hints Pittsburgh saw him as expendable, Rodgers or not.
For the Steelers, the trade aligns with their 9-8 identity in 2024: physical, disciplined, and run-heavy (4th in rushing, 148.2 yards per game). Metcalf’s 1,234 yards and Wilson’s 104.7 passer rating anchor the passing game, while Najee Harris (1,154 yards) and a defense allowing 17.1 points per game (3rd) keep them competitive. The third-round pick bolsters a 2026 draft class with no first-rounder (traded for Metcalf), and Tomlin’s 68.4% win rate since 2018 absorbs Pickens’ loss. Pittsburgh’s 25th-ranked passing attack (185.7 yards per game) may dip without Pickens’ 900 yards, but Austin and Wilson’s speed mitigates it.
Dallas, meanwhile, gets a chance to vault back into NFC East contention. Pickens joins Lamb, Jake Ferguson (65 catches), and Rico Dowdle (803 rushing yards), giving Prescott a dynamic arsenal. The Cowboys’ 20.2% pressure rate allowed (10th-worst) and 104 penalties in 2024 demand Pickens’ discipline, but his 18.1 yards per catch in 2023 could push their 7.2 yards per attempt (16th) into the top 10. With Micah Parsons’ 14.5 sacks and Mike Zimmer’s defense, Dallas’ plus-10 point differential suggests a 10-7 ceiling if Pickens gels.
The Pickens trade isn’t a Rodgers referendum but a culture move. Pittsburgh’s bet on Metcalf and draft picks prioritizes reliability over flash, while Dallas takes a calculated risk on Pickens’ upside. Rodgers’ talks with Tomlin keep the QB door open, but Wilson’s $1.2 million cap hit and 9-8 record may suffice. For now, Pittsburgh’s 9-8 grit and Dallas’ 7-10 hunger get a reset—Pickens’ exit clears the air, and his arrival in Big D sparks hope. The AFC North and NFC East just got spicier.
