The Pittsburgh Steelers made the polarizing decision to trade wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. Everyone has their own thoughts on the move. Some say a trade makes sense, considering it was almost certain Pittsburgh wasn’t going to pay him after paying DK Metcalf. Others say it didn’t make sense due to the Steelers lacking depth at the position.

Joining “Kaboly and Mack,” Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph gave his thoughts on the Pickens trade, saying he loved his former teammate.

“I loved George,” Rudolph said. “And I enjoyed going to work with him. He [has] a fun personality. I tried to feed him as much as we could when we played because good things tended to happen when you did. But I understand the way things go.”

Rudolph and Pickens had a tremendous run at the end of the 2023 season, specifically in the team’s Week 16 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Both had career games, with Rudolph throwing for 290 yards and Pickens catching four passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns.

Time will tell if Rudolph will develop the same chemistry with DK Metcalf. The rest of the Steelers’ receiving corps will have to step up, as well. Roman Wilson will be expected to live up to his third-round pick status, while Calvin Austin will need to replicate the year he had in 2024. The Steelers will also likely bring in another boundary receiver to be the No. 2, and it’s also expected that Aaron Rodgers will be arriving sooner rather than later.

Regardless, Rudolph has proven himself as a capable plug-and-play backup who can come in and produce. The Steelers will be in good hands if he has to play significant time.