The Pittsburgh Steelers were never going to give wide receiver George Pickens a new contract before the 2025 season, his final year under contract.
Not after paying new star receiver DK Metcalf $150 million in a contract extension after trading for him.
The Steelers trading Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys Wednesday morning, though, went beyond his contract situation. It was about his antics, behavioral issues and some of the frustration he caused in the locker room, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero stated.
On The Rich Eisen Show Friday afternoon, Pelissero stated that there were a “variety of different issues” that ultimately pushed the Steelers to move on from Pickens after just three seasons together, getting a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick in return for Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick.