Amid the swirling off-season chaos, one trade story this season refuses to die down. The 24-year-old WR George Pickens‘ name has been around the trade chatter for a while. Now, this isn’t idle speculation. It is part of a calculated shift by the Pittsburgh Steelers. But Pickens is not traded in isolation; he is a potential piece in a much bigger move aimed at freeing up cap space and positioning the franchise for a long-term solution under the center.
Well, it’s not news; the Steelers have been reshuffling players to resolve their offensive line crisis for quite some time now. Since Big Ben’s retirement, the Steelers have struggled to pull the team back into Super Bowl contention. With no true long-term fix, Pittsburgh is heading towards another season without stability in the center. While they waited until a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft, Steel City fans are viewing it as a strategic short-term fix and not a solution. One thing is apparent: the team is setting its sights on a marquee name from the 2026 class, and their obsession with this franchise QB comes with a price, and Pickens is the one paying for it.
NFL Insider Gerry Dulac has reaffirmed what many had suspected. The Steelers are “all-in” on drafting a quarterback in 2026. When questioned about the front office, Dulac stated, “They have a plan. And yes, they will have to make a package and trade up in the first round”. And that is exactly where Pickens comes into play. Dulac floated the idea that the wideout could be used as a trade chip to help the Steelers reach their franchise QB dreams. Dulac also hinted that Pickens’ value could eventually rise by the trade deadline, especially if another team’s playoff hopes hang on acquiring a reliable wide receiver.
‘They Have A Plan’: Dulac Believes Steelers Remain All-In On Drafting Quarterback In 2026 #Steelers #NFL #Pittsburgh https://t.co/r8ApwtWvOf
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) April 30, 2025
While the Steelers did select Ohio State’s National champion QB Will Howard in the later rounds. He joins a QB room filled with question marks. And if Rodgers doesn’t walk through the door, Kirk Cousins might. NFL insider Ian Rapoport says Cousins-to-Steelers is a real contingency, but salary complications could cloud that deal. The Steelers would need a whooping $27.5 M to afford Kirk Cousins, but they are ready to play the gamble.
The clock is ticking. Pittsburgh needs a QB who can go toe-to-toe with Maholmes, Allen, and Herbert, as the Steelers are tired of waiting. Adam Schefter thinks the Steelers aren’t replacing Pickens right now, but they definitely are planning for life without him. If a package can get them into the top QB tier next year, Pickens might be wearing different colors before September.
George Pickens hunting for a new home?
George Pickens is heading towards the end of his four-year, $6.75 million contract with the Steelers. In 2025, his cap space stands at $4.17 million. For a player with three touchdowns last season, this is elite value. But with no extension talks on the table and newly signed Robert Woods joining the fold, all signs pointed to Pickens, possibly being the odd man out.
Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) runs after a catch against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Dallas won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
And amid the swirling trade rumours, came Jeremy Fowler’s scoop. He revealed that Pickens “flirted” with the idea of requesting a trade. Fowler confirmed that “Trade talks or any sort of buzz around that has cooled.” He further added, “I was told that Pickens, in the end, wants to be in Pittsburgh. Sort of flirted with a trade request, but in the end, loves Mike Tomlin, wants to be a part of things.”And the Steelers want to keep their full offensive arsenal intact, concerning the uncertainty at quarterback.
Well, that could answer a lot of questions. While also leaving much up in the air for fans to figure out.
The post Mike Tomlin Prepared to Ditch George Pickens as Steelers Look for a QB After Free Agency Compensation appeared first on EssentiallySports.
