Picken’s Future in Pittsburgh Hangs in Balance! Trade Rumours Surround Steelers Star Receiver
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens continues to be the subject of trade rumors as the 10-7 Steelers prepare for their wild-card playoff game at the 12-5 Baltimore Ravens this Saturday night.
During a Wednesday appearance on Pittsburgh sports radio station 93.7 The Fan, NFL insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk indicated it’s a matter of when, not if, the Steelers will move on from Pickens during the upcoming offseason.
“I feel like we’re moving toward mutual-divorce territory with the two, and his body language, his demeanor, the fact that (head coach) Mike Tomlin’s done such a great job of keeping guys who might be problems under control until either the very end of a long career or after they’re gone,” Florio said about Pickens and the Steelers, as shared by Josh Carney of Steelers Depot. “And we’ve seen so much acting out from George Pickens, and Tomlin, at times, seems exasperated and says he’s gotta grow up.”
Pickens has caused headaches for the Steelers throughout his first three seasons in the league and also hasn’t yet developed into the star that individuals within the organization hoped he’d be when Pittsburgh made him a second-round draft pick in 2022. During Pittsburgh’s Week 18 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals last Saturday, Pickens committed multiple costly drops and was spotted yelling toward fans in the stands while on the sideline.
On Wednesday, The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo suggested that the Steelers could package Pickens in a trade that would land Pittsburgh disgruntled Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill. It remains unclear if Hill will force a move out of Miami before summer training-camp practices begin, but it nevertheless appears Pickens’ time with the Steelers could soon come to an end.
“…It seems like the Steelers are at the point where they wouldn’t mind to move on from him,” Florio added about Pickens’ future. “And that one won’t surprise me either, especially if they lose. I think some serious wind of change could blow if they lose on Saturday night.”
As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Steelers as massive 9.5-point underdogs against the Ravens. Pittsburgh likely will need Pickens to be fully dedicated to the cause and at his best to earn an upset win at M&T Bank Stadium.
