Aaron Rodgers has yet to decide whether to play for Mike Tomlin in the 2025 NFL season. However, the quarterback already knows that, in the event of joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, he won’t be counting on wide receiver George Pickens, who’s teaming up with Dak Prescott on the Dallas Cowboys.
On Tuesday morning, Adam Schefter of ESPN broke the news that the Steelers and Cowboys were finalizing a trade involving Pickens. Only a few hours later, Dallas confirmed the deal, which also sees the Cowboys get a 2026 sixth-round pick while giving up a 2026 third-round selection and a 2027 fifth-rounder.
One of the biggest questions that inevitably followed the trade revolved around the Steelers‘ QB situation: Will this move affect their chances of landing Rodgers in any way? According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, it will probably not.
During an appearance on Good Morning Football, the insider explained that Rodgers having a throwing session with DK Metcalf and not George Pickens this offseason might be a sign that the QB knew which direction Tomlin and company were heading to in regard to their 2022 second-round pick.
Russell Wilson #3 and Justin Fields #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers look on as head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets embrace after the game at Acrisure Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The Pickens trade to Cowboys may have not surprised Rodgers
“First of all, as far as Aaron Rodgers goes, he has been working with a potential future Steelers receiver, but it’s not George Pickens―Rodgers has been working with DK Metcalf. So if you wonder what Rodgers himself thought might happen, then it seems he’s been preparing for a future with DK, not as much George Pickens,” Rapoport said.
see also
NFL News: Anticipated date for Aaron Rodgers to become a Steeler, revealed
“Not sure why, maybe Pickens was really busy, maybe couldn’t make it happen, there’s plenty of reasons why. But Rodgers has been preparing for Metcalf and it does seem like that rapport has been built. It always seemed possible that, even if the Steelers ended up signing Aaron Rodgers, Pickens would be on the way out … There were some rumblings before the Draft, Dallas never stopped working, usually when one side is open to a deal and one side really wants a player, eventually they make that happen.”
Tomlin, Steelers expected to make more moves at WR
The Cowboys are getting an interesting weapon for Prescott in Pickens. The fourth-year wideout made 40 starts in 48 appearances with the Steelers over the last three years, recording 174 catches for 2,841 yards with 12 touchdowns.
Still, Rapoport suggests that Tomlin and company may have already anticipated Rodgers that Pickens would be gone. Additionally, the insider believes that Pittsburgh will be adding more talent at WR ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
SurveyDid the Steelers make the right move?
Did the Steelers make the right move?
ALREADY VOTED 0 PEOPLE
“I would be surprised if the Steelers are done at the receiver position,” Rapoport added. “They are likely to at least sign one more and there are a couple of talented wide receivers still on the market. I wouldn’t consider this to be a big surprise for Aaron Rodgers and for anyone following this team.”
