While George Pickens and the Steelers had some turbulence during his three years there, Pittsburgh sees its deal to send the receiver to the Cowboys as an amicable one.
Steelers general manager Omar Khan told reporters Friday that the move to trade Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick to Dallas for a 2026 third-rounder and a 2027 fifth-rounder “made sense for everyone.”
“We just kind of talked about it, lots of serious conversation, honest conversations,” Khan said. “And we just felt that a fresh start for both sides was the right thing.”
Pickens’ departure came after a season filled with drama, which included head coach Mike Tomlin saying that the receiver needed to “grow up.”
Whether it was unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, fighting or showing up late to a game, Pickens, 24, couldn’t seem to stay in line in Pittsburgh for what many consider up-and-down three seasons.
“I wouldn’t use the word disappointment,” Khan said of Pickens’ time in Pittsburgh. “You know we had three years with George, and you know we had some exciting times, but you know, it’s just time for the fresh start. For both sides, it was the right thing.”
Without Pickens, the Steelers’ wide receiver room takes a hit, even when factoring in the offseason acquisition of DK Metcalf.
For this reason, many wondered if a trade would’ve been more opportune ahead of the draft rather than after it.
“We had some people inquire during the draft, nothing that really made sense … The Cowboys reached out earlier this week, and they proposed something for us to think about,” Khan said. “We wouldn’t have done this if we didn’t feel good about the receiver situation, about our depth here … I know people make the comparison about last year, it’s not even close to being the same.
“Obviously we made the investment with DK,” Khan continued. “We’ve had another year with some of the young guys and gotten to know them, watched them develop.”
Pittsburgh’s other receivers on the roster are Robert Woods, 2022 fourth-round pick Calvin Austin III and 2024 third-round pick Roman Wilson.
With Pittsburgh now behind him, Pickens isn’t looking back.
“I’m more of like a, be where I’m at right now, where my feet at,” Pickens said Thursday, “so can’t even really think about it in the past. I’m just glad to be a Cowboy.”
