George Pickens didn’t ask for a trade. He didn’t demand a new deal. He asked one simple question: Who’s going to throw me the ball? And in Pittsburgh this spring, there was no clear answer.
As offseason workouts began, neither Russell Wilson nor Justin Fields remained with the team. Instead, the quarterback room featured Mason Rudolph, rookie Will Howard, and plenty of question marks. For a wide receiver entering his prime, that kind of uncertainty felt like déjà vu, and not the good kind.
So when the call came from Dallas, Pickens didn’t hesitate. The Cowboys were offering a new opportunity, a stable quarterback in Dak Prescott, and a chance to line up opposite CeeDee Lamb. That was all he needed to hear.
Tomlin’s quiet but final decision
While many assumed Pickens might’ve been the one pushing for an exit, reports paint a different picture. According to The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly, it was head coach Mike Tomlin who ultimately decided the relationship had run its course. Despite defending Pickens publicly over the years, Tomlin believed the “rehabilitation project” had reached its limit.
Even general manager Omar Khan wasn’t in favor of letting Pickens go, but Tomlin’s word sealed the deal. The Steelers shipped the 23-year-old receiver to Dallas in exchange for a third-round pick in 2026 and a fifth-rounder in 2027.
Quarterback carousel and locker room tension
Pickens‘ frustration was never about money. It was about football. He reportedly grew tired of the quarterback chaos in Pittsburgh, an issue that’s been brewing for seasons. Even with Aaron Rodgers linked to the team for months, the Steelers remain in limbo. That lack of direction has started to wear on players.
In fact, Pickens isn’t the only one fed up. Retirement rumors surrounding T.J. Watt have also surfaced, with whispers that the QB situation is a major factor.
New beginnings in Big D
Now in Dallas, Pickens joins an offense that knows exactly who’s under center. He won’t be asked to guess who’s leading the huddle each week. Instead, he’s focused on proving himself and growing alongside CeeDee Lamb. No drama, no uncertainty, just football.
The Steelers may have let go of a rising star. Time will tell if Pickens uses that chip on his shoulder to light it up in 2025.
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