The Pittsburgh Steelers traded away their star wide receiver George Pickens in the 2025 offseason. The team sent Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys after deciding that both sides needed a fresh start. With Pickens entering the final year of his rookie contract and little progress on an extension, the Steelers chose to get value in return by acquiring draft capital.
Pickens was a polarizing figure during his time in Pittsburgh. While many fans admired his talent and big-play ability, others were frustrated by his attitude and occasional outbursts. Over the weekend, controversy stirred when a screenshot of a deleted Instagram comment, allegedly from Pickens' account, appeared to criticize the Steelers organization. The post spread quickly online and sparked heated reactions from fans.
In response, Pickens quickly addressed the situation. He posted on his Instagram story, denying that he had made any negative comments about Pittsburgh. He made it clear that he did not post the comment and expressed that he still respects the city and the fans. The situation left some questions unanswered, but Pickens’ swift response helped ease some of the tension surrounding the incident.
"Literally on a plane," Pickens said. "No service. Just landed and seen straight lies from Pitt fans. Stop with AI trying to make a story. I'm happy for everything the Steel City did for me. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there."
The original comment that started circulating online spread fast, with many believing it came from Pickens' actual Instagram account. The post claimed that the Steelers were the cheapest organization in the league and suggested they don’t take care of their players financially.
As expected, it quickly caught fire on social media, sparking reactions from fans and fueling criticism toward Pickens. But things took a turn when Pickens responded, saying he was on a flight with no service at the time the comment appeared and that he didn’t post it.
The timing of the comment added even more fuel to the fire, as it seemed to be a response to a podcast clip featuring Steelers' Beanie Bishop Jr. and Payton Wilson. In the clip, the two were talking about their early experiences with the team, and the comment showed up not long after the video started making the rounds.
Steelers' George Pickens Sends Nice Message To The Steel City
Bishop and Wilson were specifically discussing the Pickens trade. Their conversation suggested that moving on from Pickens might actually benefit the team, framing it as a case of addition by subtraction. That led many to assume Pickens was reacting to what was said, but if he truly had no internet access, that raises legitimate questions about the source of the comment.
Now, fans are split. Some believe Pickens is telling the truth, especially given the flight explanation, while others aren’t so sure. Regardless, the situation has stirred up a lot of unnecessary drama for both Pickens and the Steelers. Whether it was a real or not, Pickens is doing his best to distance himself from the controversy and move on with his new chapter in Dallas.
Steelers fans who were disappointed to see their favorite player traded so soon may find some comfort in Pickens' kind words about his time in Pittsburgh. He expressed gratitude for the experiences he had and the memories made in the Steel City.
Even though Pickens is no longer with the team, he will still be closely watched by Steelers fans, who will continue to keep an eye on his every move. However, Pickens has firmly stated that he never made the controversial comment in question.
