The Pittsburgh Steelers decided they would break precedent and make a blockbuster trade, acquiring D.K. Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks for a second round draft pick. Not only did they make the big move, but the Steelers also signed Metcalf to a massive 4-year, $132 million contract extension. With Metcalf locked up for the foreseeable future and a huge question mark at quarterback, the Steelers should attempt to trade last year’s leading receiver George Pickens.
Steelers Should Trade George Pickens Following Blockbuster Move
While there are several factors at play, it would be wise for the Steelers front office to at least shop around and see what they could get in return for Pickens. If they are completely in win-now mode, it would make sense to keep Pickens. However, it would be very near-sighted for Omar Khan to be all-in on winning this year considering the team doesn’t have a starting quarterback and there are not many options left.
Pickens and Metcalf Are an Odd Pairing
There are football and non-football reasons the Steelers should trade George Pickens. Starting with the football reasons, Pickens and Metcalf are not complimentary receivers. They are both big-bodied, deep threat, contested catch receivers. On one hand, that’s great; it’s always good to be capable of taking the top off a defense at any moment. On the other hand, Pittsburgh could use a crisp route runner who can reliably get open underneath and over the middle. Neither Pickens nor Metcalf excel in that role.
Take it a step further and it’s especially questionable for an Arthur Smith-led offense to have two dynamic playmakers down the field. Smith isn’t exactly known for airing the ball out and properly utilizing his top playmakers. If Metcalf and Pickens play together, at least one (and probably both) of them will be frustrated with their usage in Smith’s offense. Pittsburgh could trade George Pickens and avoid that issue altogether.
Pickens Unlikely to Return Next Season
Following the extension they gave Metcalf, it is hard to envision the Steelers handing George Pickens a big contract next offseason. As he enters the last year of his rookie deal without an extension, it feels very likely the 2025 season will be Pickens’ last as a Steeler. Rather than keep him for another year and get nothing in return for him next spring, the Steelers could trade George Pickens now and potentially get a fourth-round pick back. After giving their second-round pick to Seattle in exchange for Metcalf, Pittsburgh could use the extra draft capital given the holes on their roster.
Again, Pittsburgh might be trying to compete in 2025, in which case it is more beneficial to have Pickens than an extra fourth-round pick. Teams in win-now mode don’t care much about what will happen the following offseason. Given their quarterback situation, though, the Steelers just don’t have the team to compete for a Super Bowl this season. When faced with a decision between keeping Pickens or trading him, acquiring a draft pick, and getting rid of the headaches that come with him, Pittsburgh should make the trade.
