Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens was a massive distraction on and off the field throughout his three years in Pittsburgh. While talented, the Steelers had enough off of the antics. That’s why they traded Pickens and a 2027 sixth round pick to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 third round pick and a 2027 fifth round pick earlier this offseason.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Steelers wanted to get Pickens out of town before Rodgers’ arrival. The organization thought the two big personalities would not mesh at all.
“Staying with Pittsburgh-related matters, the Steelers moved on from Pickens for a few reasons. His maturity issues were well-known within Pittsburgh’s locker room and front office. So, the Steelers made the evaluation that Pickens and Rodgers probably would not hit it off,” Fowler wrote.
“He’s the guy who’s open when he’s not open,” Florio said on PFT Live. “He’s the guy who will contort his body in midair and make the contested catch, and he can get separation. [The Steelers] just didn’t use him enough.”
Florio thinks Dallas gives Pickens the fresh start he needs. With a new system and different approach, the analyst believes Pickens has the skills to take pressure off CeeDee Lamb in the Cowboys’ passing attack.
“When Pickens starts making the highlight reel catches, will they rotate the coverage toward him, and then Ceedee Lamb starts going off?” Florio said. “They may be on to something with George Pickens.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Florio Blames Steelers for George Pickens’ Exit: ‘They Just Didn’t Use Him Enough’
