Plaxico Burress: Steelers New Playmaker DK Metcalf Is Not As Good As George Pickens: "They Didn't Get Any Better"
After the Pittsburgh Steelers made the surprising decision to trade star wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for draft picks, fans immediately took to social media to share their reactions. Many expressed disappointment, while others tried to understand the reasoning behind the move. Pickens, a talented but sometimes polarizing player, had built a strong following in Pittsburgh, making the trade even harder to process for some.
Plaxico Burress, a former Steelers wide receiver who spent parts of six seasons with Pittsburgh, was among those who questioned the decision. During his time with the team, Burress was a consistent play-maker, recording back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2001 and 2002. He eventually left Pittsburgh in 2005 to join the New York Giants, where he went on to post some of the best numbers of his career and played a key role in the team’s 2007 Super Bowl run.
Burress addressed the Pickens trade during an episode of his Up on Game podcast. He voiced his frustration with the Steelers' decision and shared why he believes the team may have given up on Pickens too early. Burress also weighed in on the arrival of DK Metcalf, suggesting that while Metcalf is a strong addition, he does not see him as an upgrade over Pickens. His comments echo the opinions of many fans who still view Pickens as the more dynamic receiver with a higher ceiling.
"They didn't get any better. I don't believe that when it comes down to playing the position and playing the game of football, that DK Metcalf is a better wide receiver than George Pickens. I would not agree to that," Burress claimed. "We know that when George Pickens is playing and when he's focused, he's one of the top 5 ball players at the position. There's no disputing that. There's no doubt about it, but we have to get the young man focused so we can reach his full potential and [he can] become one of these elite wide receivers."
Pickens, who now finds himself in Dallas with a veteran quarterback in Dak Prescott, is expected to thrive as the Cowboys' number two wide receiver alongside CeeDee Lamb. With Prescott’s experience and the Cowboys’ high-powered offense, Pickens should have every opportunity to make a major impact in his new role.
After a breakout season with the Steelers in 2023, Pickens quickly established himself as the team’s top wide receiver. However, his time in Pittsburgh was marked by inconsistency, largely due to off-the-field distractions and incidents that affected his focus. Despite the ups and downs, he totaled 2,841 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns during his tenure with the Steelers.
Although the trade came as a surprise to many fans, the Steelers now have more picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. With Pickens officially gone and Pittsburgh continuing to build for the future, the spotlight now shifts to Metcalf, who is set to take over as the team’s top wideout in his first season wearing black and gold.
Steelers Expect Metcalf To Be A Star In Pittsburgh
Metcalf, a six-year NFL veteran who spent his entire career in Seattle, was traded to Pittsburgh earlier this offseason. The move came after the Seahawks reached a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders that sent quarterback Geno Smith to Las Vegas, triggering a series of roster changes. In his final season as a Seahawk, Metcalf delivered a strong performance with 992 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
Now in Pittsburgh, Metcalf is expected to play a major role in the Steelers’ offense. The two-time Pro Bowler brings a rare combination of size, speed, and big-play ability, making him a dangerous weapon for whoever lines up under center. His presence immediately upgrades the wide receiver room and gives the Steelers a legitimate threat on the outside.
With free agency questions still in play and the Steelers continuing to tweak their roster on both sides of the ball ahead of training camp, the team now enters the season with a clear-cut WR1 in Metcalf. His arrival marks a major step forward for a receiving corps that needed a proven leader.
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