Pittsburgh Steelers trade WR George Pickens to Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys made a splash on Wednesday, landing wide receiver George Pickens in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to ESPN's Todd Archer.

As part of the agreement, Dallas also picks up a 2026 sixth-round selection, while sending Pittsburgh a 2026 third-rounder and a 2027 fifth-round pick in return.

Pickens, 24, is heading into the final year of his rookie deal and had stepped into the WR1 role in Pittsburgh after Diontae Johnson was shipped off to the Carolina Panthers last offseason.

The Steelers are still chasing veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. With DK Metcalf arriving in Pittsburgh this offseason, Pickens was always going to be pushed down the pecking order. His importance in the offense had already begun to fade, and head coach Mike Tomlin appeared ready to move on.

On paper, this move is a no-brainer for the Cowboys. They've been on the lookout for a true WR2 to line up opposite CeeDee Lamb, and now they’ve got one in George Pickens—a physical, downfield threat who could seriously juice this offense.

Despite how disappointing 2024 turned out, this Dallas roster still mirrors the one that went 12-5 in 2023, albeit under a new head coach. The glaring hole at wide receiver behind Lamb was never properly addressed, and acquiring Pickens for just over the value of a third-rounder feels like a bargain, especially when you factor in his manageable 2024 salary (less than $3.4 million). He’s coming off a 900-yard season over 14 games and had 1,140 yards the year before, consistently averaging an impressive 2.2 yards per route run in both campaigns.

From Pittsburgh’s angle, they’ve done well here too. Everyone around the league knew they were ready to part ways with Pickens, and they still came away with a Day 2 pick. Not bad for a player they were clearly prepared to move on from.

They had already made their move for DK Metcalf earlier in the offseason, a big-bodied receiver with a similar skill set to Pickens. While the two could’ve theoretically shared the field, it’s clear the Steelers saw Metcalf as the long-term upgrade. Still, there’s a drop-off behind him. The current supporting cast, Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, and rookie Roman Wilson, doesn’t exactly scream depth or danger.

And then there’s the Aaron Rodgers angle. The Steelers are still eyeing the veteran quarterback, but with only one real weapon on the outside, making a splashy move for Rodgers feels like putting the cart before the horse. Without a second reliable receiver, it’s tough to sell this team as a win-now destination—even with the QB market all but dried up after the draft.

Here's some of the quirky reaction from the NFL world on the controversial trade:

The trade has sparked mixed reactions across the league, with fans split over what this means for Pittsburgh's direction. According to reports, George Pickens never requested a move, and it wasn't GM Omar Khan who pulled the trigger—it was Mike Tomlin who made the call.

While Pickens has put together plenty of jaw-dropping highlights showcasing his raw talent, whispers behind the scenes suggest the move was largely driven by concerns over his maturity. Sources indicate the coaching staff felt his attitude and off-field demeanor were beginning to outweigh his on-field production, potentially holding the team back from making a serious playoff run.

Coupled with Najee Harris heading west to join the Chargers, this feels like a clear signal from Tomlin that he’s hitting the reset button—steering the Steelers into a new chapter with a renewed focus on culture and cohesion.

Pickens gets a fresh start in Dallas, catching passes from Dak Prescott, a three-time Pro Bowler and 2022 Walter Payton Man of the Year winner. Prescott is rehabbing from a hamstring injury, but in his last full season, he lit it up with 4,516 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and just nine picks. If Pickens clicks in Big D, this could be one of the steals of the offseason.