Pittsburgh Steelers fans are well aware of the questions at quarterback for 2025 and beyond, but the recently traded George Pickens just gave them a painful reminder of how bad things currently are.
In his Dallas Cowboys introductory press conference Thursday afternoon, Pickens took no time in commenting on how excited he is to play with his new QB, Dak Prescott. He obviously has every right to be thrilled to be playing with a passer who has been as productive as Prescott has been during his nearly decade-long career.
The comment stings for Steelers fans, however, with how much uncertainty remains at the sport's most important position. Trading Pickens for draft capital seems like part of their strategy to solve the QB dilemma, but that won't happen until at least 2026.
George Pickens comments are a painful jab in Pittsburgh Steelers' fans sides
It's no secret that the Steelers' QB situation is a mess at the moment. Many fans (and perhaps the team as well) are hoping Aaron Rodgers finally decides to join the team. If not, things could really get ugly for the 2025 season.
Trading Pickens away has made it even harder to imagine Pittsburgh fielding a strong passing game next season, no matter who is under center. If Rodgers does spurn them, Mason Rudolph would be the heavy favorite to begin the season as QB1.
Despite how quickly Pickens chose to bring up his excitement to finally play with a franchise QB, playing with Rudolph again may not have been so bad. The former second-round pick's most productive games of his career came in a two-game stretch with Rudolph starting at the end of the 2023 season.
It's unlikely that he would be able to replicate that production just because Rudolph has returned, but it's an interesting anecdote.
Pickens could very well look like the winner of this trade if he and Prescott can find a rhythm early on as a duo, but only if he can handle being the clear No. 2 to CeeDee Lamb.
The former Georgia Bulldog will need to break the recent trend of Steelers receivers failing at their next stop, all while playing for a new contract. Steelers fans may be hurting right now, but they could end up having the last laugh.
