Mike Tomlin led the effort for the Pittsburgh Steelers to trade George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, according to a report by Mark Kaboly. In a surprising decision, the head coach was the mastermind behind the move that sent away one of the team’s best players.
“When Mike Tomlin feels it’s time to move on, you better believe that it’s time to move on. Make no mistake about it, Tomlin, who has gone out of his way in the past to defend Pickens, is the one who decided that the Pickens rehabilitation project needed to end a year early. The ultimate decision had very little to do with general manager Omar Khan (although he signed off on it, too) and of course it was OKd by team owner Art Rooney II. Pickens didn’t ask for a trade. It was the Steelers who decided to ship him to the Cowboys.”
The decision has surprised fans and experts, as the offense looked Super Bowl caliber with Pickens and DK Metcalf as wide receivers, along with the possible arrival of Aaron Rodgers. Now, everything is uncertain since Pittsburgh didn’t strengthen that position during the 2025 draft.
Who did Steelers get for George Pickens?
The Pittsburgh Steelers got a third-round pick in the 2026 Draft and a fifth-round pick in 2027 from the trade with the Dallas Cowboys. Looking ahead to next year, they now have 12 picks as they aim to find a franchise quarterback.
Who will replace George Pickens?
Allen Lazard, Romeo Doubs, Keenan Allen, Gabe Davis, and Amari Cooper have emerged as potential options to replace George Pickens for the Pittsburgh Steelers. As of now, their depth chart at wide receiver includes DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, and Roman Wilson.
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