The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team to watch for the next month for multiple reasons. For starters, they are all but certainly signing quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Next, they could be on the verge of making another blockbuster trade, but being the senders rather than the receivers this time around.
Pittsburgh finally made their big splash trade for a star receiver when they acquired DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks and immediately signed him to a long-term extension. This left many believing that the Steelers could move on from George Pickens, considering they paid Metcalf, and he and Pickens, for lack of a better term, do the same thing. They are both deep ball receivers who aren’t known for refined route trees. If you don’t believe me, look at their numbers over the last two seasons:
George Pickens: 122 catches, 2,040 yards, 16.7 YPR, 8 touchdowns
DK Metcalf: 132 catches, 2,106 yards, 16 YPR, 13 touchdowns
Combine that with the fact that this wide receiver class in the 2025 NFL Draft is very deep, and Pickens’ history of on-field tantrums and behind the scenes struggles, and the dots begin to connect.
Chris Mueller of 93.7 The Fan agrees with this notion and made a bold prediction just over two weeks ahead of the draft.
“George Pickens will not be a Steeler by the end of night two of the draft,” Mueller said.
I don’t think Mullsy is crazy here. Steelers doing homework on 1st round WRs. And players projected to go in the 2nd round. That’s a waste of time if they know they’re keeping Pickens. pic.twitter.com/U3NEUYKwHY
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) April 8, 2025
There are teams that should be willing to give up a Day Two pick as the main component of a trade package for Pickens. The Los Angeles Chargers are the team that comes to mind immediately, considering they have Ladd McConkey and a lot of question marks. Most notably, they have no deep threat. The New England Patriots are another team that comes to mind. They need a real deep threat to complement Drake Maye, and I’d bet Mike Vrabel sees more than one similarity between Pickens and A.J. Brown.
Should Pittsburgh really be willing to deal Pickens, that would also mean they are taking a receiver early, potentially in the first round. Regardless, they will have suitors if that’s the route they want to go.
