This offseason saw the Pittsburgh Steelers trade promising young receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for next year's third-round pick and a 2027 pick swap — and apparently he's the one who initiated the move.
According to reports, Pickens had concerns about the Steelers' uncertain future at the quarterback position. And in a since-deleted post to X, the former Georgia Bulldog claims he forced his way out of Pittsburgh and made the Steelers trade him.
Responding to a thread outlining his problematic behavior in the Steel City, Pickens said: "Lmaooo. I play for cowboys bro stop reminiscing and trying to justify the trade yall just lost another good player to fake reports like this one ♂️"
After which he revealed that it was him, not head coach Mike Tomlin, who facilitated the Dallas deal. Writing, "I forced buddy. They were gladly keeping me... have a nice day and a blessed one my guy," before eventually taking the post down.
That would seem to directly contradict Pickens' previous statement at his introductory press conference that being shipped out of the organization was "out of [his] control."
"This game is just as much of a business as it is football," Pickens told reporters at the time. "It was kind of out of my control. I'm just glad to be here in Dallas and continue the winning culture that they have."
The Steelers moved on from Pickens (or vice-versa) after trading for DK Metcalf and signing him to a four-year, $132 million contract extension back in March.
In three seasons with the Black and Gold, the 24-year-old Pickens amassed 174 catches, 2,841 yards and 12 touchdowns.
