NFL Trade Rumors: Pittsburgh Steelers at Odds With Wide Receiver George Pickens

The Pittsburgh Steelers may have to take a step backward if they're going to take a step forward. In a piece for the Athletic, Steelers beat writer Mike DeFabo suggests the team should part ways with wide receiver George Pickens after a season of persistent behavioural issues.

The Steelers would never fire Mike Tomlin. But here are five significant changes they should at least consider.

No. 1: Employ players who show up to work on time. https://t.co/pqMpG0kTIc
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) January 14, 2025

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin notably said Pickens needed to "grow up" following an on-field outburst against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13. DeFabo also reports that Pickens was "at least" two hours late for the Steelers' critical Christmas day showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Pickens is clearly a difference-maker and the Steelers' best catcher. He led all Steelers' pass catchers in receiving yards with 900 despite missing three games, and his ability to win contested catches on deep balls down the field and along the sidelines makes him one of the most spectacular players in the league.

Still, the Steelers shouldn't tolerate toxicity in the locker room. Even with Pickens, they haven't been able to achieve to the degree their fans demand. They haven't won a playoff game since the 2016 postseason, and they've finished 16th or worse in points scored in each season since drafting Pickens 52nd overall in 2022.

The Steelers are well acquainted with high-maintenance wide receivers: They famously traded away four-time All-Pro Antonio Brown in 2018, just before his career truly unravelled. Their offense declined precipitously, falling from 6th in points scored in 2018 to 27th in 2019, but they spared themselves the heartaches and headaches that Brown would eventually bring to the Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Ultimately, the Steelers shouldn't twist themselves into knots to preserve their current on-field product. If Pickens is a troublemaker, they should try to find a willing trade partner. Teams like the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, and New York Giants should all be desperate for wide receivers. The Steelers should jump at the chance to land a mid-round pick in a deal, even if their offense suffers in the short term.