Steelers Now
Former Steelers safety Ryan Clark thinks Pittsburgh’s roster has taken a massive step back after trading wide receiver George Pickens.
The Pittsburgh Steelers shocked the football world on Wednesday morning when they traded wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. That would be an understatement for former Steelers safety Ryan Clark, who is left scratching his head by the move.
“It sounds like they’re tanking,” Clark said on ESPN’s “Get Up.” “And I know they aren’t because they’ve made other moves. But when you look at this roster, this roster can’t compete to have a winning season. This roster can’t compete to be a playoff team. This roster can’t compete to be an AFC Champion. And in no time that I’ve been associated with the Pittsburgh Steelers, have I felt this way.”
Pickens is leaving Pittsburgh with a massive hole at wide receiver. Over the past three years, he has recorded 174 catches for 2,841 yards and 12 touchdowns as the team’s undoubted No. 1 wide receiver.
It’s a hole that the Steelers have spent the past year trying to fill, but now they are back to square one.
Pittsburgh is not without a No. 1 wide receiver after trading for wide receiver DK Metcalf earlier this offseason, but the room is quite underwhelming after him — Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek, Brandon Johnson, Lance McCutcheon and Roc Taylor.
The good news is the Steelers got what they could for Pickens as they continue to stockpile picks for the 2026 NFL Draft, which is expected to be rich with quarterback talent.
Clark is still confused with the long-term plan, though.
“It’s not only the way the roster looks like, it’s the way they’re moving and maneuvering around building the roster, Clark continued. “I don’t really understand what’s going on.”
Pittsburgh’s 2025 wide receiver room could have shades of that a season ago, but there’s no arguing the team is planning to use its extra assets to finally grab its next franchise quarterback in 2026.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Former Steeler Rips George Pickens Trade: ‘This Roster Can’t Compete’
