Many believed that the Pittsburgh Steelers could deal wide receiver George Pickens to another team during the 2025 NFL Draft. Fox NFL insider Jordan Schultz named Pickens as a player to watch to potentially be on the move, as did Dianna Russini of The Athletic. However, Pickens is still in a Steelers uniform – at least for the time being.

Speaking on Bleacher Report, James Palmer says he believes Pickens’ time with the Steelers is ‘limited” and that he could be playing elsewhere by 2026.

“There’s a lot of rumors about [a trade],” Palmer said. “And understandable because his time in Pittsburgh is limited in a lot of people’s minds, mine included.”

Palmer notes that the extension given to Metcalf immediately after acquiring him, as well as the behind-the-scenes trouble with Pickens all lead to an eventual departure from Pittsburgh.

“You don’t make the trade for DK Metcalf, giving [the Seahawks] a second [if you plan to keep Pickens]. It has not run well behind the scenes at all between George Pickens, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and everybody involved… could he play for them in 2025? He certainly could. Would he be departing after the season? Yes, in a lot of people’s minds.”

Pickens is entering the final year of his rookie deal, which means the Steelers will have to make the decision on what to do with him long-term sooner than later.