Former Steelers WR George Pickens lighting up Cowboys training camp

Of all the big moves the Pittsburgh Steelers made this offseason, the trade that sent wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys took us by surprise the most. After trading for wide receiver DK Metcalf and passing on a wide receiver in the 2025 NFL draft, we were excited to see the tandem of Metcalf and Pickens out there with Aaron Rodgers throwing them the football.

Things didn't work out and now Pickens is in Dallas and forms one of the best tandems in the NFC with CeeDee Lamb. Meanwhile, the Steelers are sorting between Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson and Robert Woods for their other starter. At the same time, Pickens is lighting up Cowboys camp and seems to make a huge play every practice.

With how aggressive the Steelers have been this offseason to add talent, every move they make is going to be under the microscope. If Pickens has a breakout campaign and the Steelers' passing offense struggles, there will be plenty of second-guessing of the trade.

The Steelers drafted Pickens in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft out of Georgia. Pickens' talent was never in question but his maturity and work ethic were. The Steelers gave Pickens three seasons but he never seemed fully committed to playing in this offense.