Steelers insider talks George Pickens trade rumors after latest controversy

George Pickens hasn't yet developed into the game-changing playmaker the Pittsburgh Steelers hoped they were getting when they selected the wide receiver in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Additionally, he's caused numerous headaches for the club over the years via antics such as allegedly showing up late for Pittsburgh's Christmas Day game against the Kansas City Chiefs last month. 

During a Thursday appearance on Pittsburgh sports radio station 93.7 The Fan, Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette predicted what could be next for Pickens, who is only signed through the 2025 campaign and will likely want a contract extension this offseason. 

"I think they're still going through that process," Fittipaldo said about the Steelers' handling of Pickens, Joe Clark of Steelers Depot shared. "It feels like he's gonna get traded. Just being around that team, being in the locker room, seeing how he interacts with players and coaches, it feels like maybe this thing has run its course." 

Some felt Pickens wanted a trade before Pittsburgh's 28-14 wild-card playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens last weekend. After that defeat, he indicated he was not optimistic about the future of the Steelers' offense. After Pickens was flagged twice for unsportsmanlike conduct during the Steelers' Week 13 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin said the 23-year-old needed to "grow up." 

Maybe the only reason the Steelers would hold onto Pickens through this summer is that it's no secret they looked for receiver help throughout 2024 with the third-year pro already on the roster. Pickens led the team this past season with 103 targets and 900 receiving yards, per ESPN stats. He was second with 59 receptions but found the end zone just three times. 

"It feels to me like maybe something will happen in March or, more than likely, April before the draft," Fittipaldo added about when Pittsburgh could ship Pickens out of town. 

The Steelers were linked with veteran wide receiver Davante Adams well before he acknowledged this week that he "one hundred percent" would like to play for Tomlin. For a piece published Friday, ESPN's Rich Cimini predicted that the New York Jets will make Adams a salary-cap casualty when the new league year opens in March. 

Even if the Steelers land Adams, they must acquire other offensive weapons to compete with the AFC's best teams in 2025. Pittsburgh must also address a quarterback situation that reportedly won't involve the club targeting Aaron Rodgers, Adams' good buddy if the Jets release Rodgers in March.