Never say never. That’s Mike Tomlin’s motto. But if there was going to be a time for the Pittsburgh Steelers to trade WR George Pickens, the first two days of the 2025 NFL Draft were it. With the first three rounds in the books, Pickens is still on the roster and the odds of him being there come September have skyrocketed.
Reportedly, Pittsburgh received calls about him. It’s no surprise. This year’s receiver draft class is weak, missing the top-end talent the college ranks normally produce. Through the first three rounds, only 14 receivers have been selected, tying the fewest number since 2020. Pound for pound, the value and talent of this year’s class compared to others simply isn’t as strong. Knowing Pickens is in the final year of his rookie deal and that Pittsburgh just backed the money truck up for DK Metcalf, teams can put two and two together and inquire.
Whatever conversations took place and whatever offers — if any — were made clearly weren’t good enough. Even under the assumption Pickens leaves after 2025, the Steelers’ asking price should remain high. Dealing Pickens in a weak wide receiver class ran the risk of leaving the offense in a similar hole as a season ago, a No. 1 receiver without a solid No. 2 to either take attention away or take advantage of 1v1 coverage. It just would’ve been Metcalf in a leading role instead.
Pairing George Pickens and DK Metcalf stresses defenses. Two big-play vertical threats from outside the numbers. That’ll force defenses into two-high shells and soften up the running game for newly drafted running back Kaleb Johnson and the rest of the Steelers’ backfield. Schematically, teams will have to approach Pittsburgh with caution and the Steelers will reap the benefits.
The Steelers’ offseason mission has been to make their offense more explosive. More dynamic, bigger chunk plays that either didn’t happen or dried up by last season’s end. Subtracting Pickens only hurts that mission. Trading him at this point in the offseason, without a top draft pick to even attempt to replace Pickens, is even less advised.
Pittsburgh’s offense has been no better than average since 2019, often worse. The organization has been unable to find balance on the offense/defense seesaw. The scales have been heavily tipped in one direction. During the Killer B’s era, it was the offense riding high and the defense struggling. Since 2019, it’s been the defense driving the bus with the offense in the backseat, not even passenger one.
Building the offense creates equilibrium. Pittsburgh’s defense showed cracks last year but remains the stronger side and still finished as a top-10 scoring unit. If it can repeat that and the offense can elevate its production, it’s a stronger recipe to win. Quarterback remains the looming question though confidence in Aaron Rodgers signing with the Steelers still seems high
Trading George Pickens isn’t the craziest idea. There’s value in getting a pick now rather than a potential selection in 2027. But the Steelers needed a too-good-to-refuse offer to make it happen. Clearly, they didn’t. For now, and likely for the rest of 2025, Pickens remains a Steeler.
