Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens was fed up with the team’s quarterback situation.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a different starting quarterback every year since Ben Roethlisberger retired at the end of the 2021 season. Now, former Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is speaking up about it.
Pickens, who was traded to the Dallas Cowboys this offseason, seems to be very grateful to be on his new team, which has more stability at the quarterback position.
“The last place I was at, just coming in with a group of guys who was good guys but were all rookies, got a rookie QB, so I couldn’t really thrive and show the world the potential I have,” Pickens said. “I had to wait a few years, and then it eventually showed. I get to the Cowboys, and then today I get to show it again, and we win.”
1-on-1 #Cowboys WR George Pickens:
On first #Cowboys win while reflecting on career: “The type of game this was, it was a resilient game, everything not going your way, then stuff start going your way. I feel like my career’s been like that…"
FULL VID: https://t.co/nqsDG9dU9J pic.twitter.com/bZZfEAYW9k
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) September 15, 2025
Pickens is clearly throwing shade at quarterback Kenny Pickett, who had a less-than-ideal tenure in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers’ No. 20 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft rarely lit up the stat sheet, throwing for 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 25 games. He was then traded to the Philadelphia Eagles ahead of the 2024 season.
Since then, Pickett has also been traded to the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders, where he currently resides in the 2025 season. So it’s safe to say Pickens had the right to be frustrated.
However, Pickens’ disappointing stint in Pittsburgh wasn’t solely on the shoulders of the team’s poor quarterback play. He was a major distraction himself on and off the field.
Pickens is coming off his best game as a Cowboy, during which he recorded five catches for 68 yards and a touchdown, but it’s still a little too early to confirm the grass is greener on the other side.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: George Pickens Throws Shade at Former Steelers QB
