The Steelers traded George Pickens a month earlier than signing Aaron Rodgers, however the staff made the cope with the star quarterback’s arrival in thoughts.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Pittsburgh was cautious of how Pickens would have meshed with Rodgers, given the vast receiver’s historical past of “maturity issues.”
Shortly after the Steelers traded Pickens to the Cowboys on Might 7, reporter Mark Kaboly famous that “significant locker room guys were fed up with Pickens’ antics” and that some felt it will be “counterproductive” to maintain the 24-year-old.
After Pickens drew two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in a 44-38 win over the Bengals in Week 13 final season, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin mentioned the vast receiver “has got to grow up.”
Pickens was additionally reportedly late to the Steelers’ Christmas Day recreation towards the Chiefs and bought into an on-field scuffle with Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis within the Steelers’ 20-17 Week 5 loss to Dallas.
Moments like these, the Steelers entrance workplace hypothesized, wouldn’t go over nicely with Rodgers.
Rodgers, who was launched by the Jets earlier within the offseason, had lengthy been rumored as a possible signing in Pittsburgh, although he didn’t formally ink his one-year, $13.6 million cope with the Steelers till June 7.
Nonetheless, if Pittsburgh’s entrance workplace took Rodgers under consideration for its decision-making on the Pickens commerce, the group will need to have been very assured the 10-time Professional Bowler in the end would signal with them.
With Pickens off the roster, the Steelers’ receiving corps heading into coaching camp consists of vast receivers DK Metcalf, Robert Woods and Calvin Austin III, plus tight finish Pat Freiermuth.
Pickens, alternatively, is becoming a member of star wideout CeeDee Lamb as a key goal for Dak Prescott in Dallas, together with vast receiver Jalen Tolbert and tight finish Jake Ferguson.
A former standout at Georgia, Pickens hauled in 59 passes for 900 yards and three touchdowns in 14 video games with the Steelers in 2024.
