Steelers trading wide receiver George Pickens?

The Pittsburgh Steelers fell to the Dallas Cowboys 20-17 in their Week 5 matchup, marking their second consecutive loss. While the defeat is concerning for fans, an even bigger storyline emerged during the game – the noticeable absence of George Pickens.

This has led to speculation, myself included, that Pickens might be in the proverbial doghouse, and that the Steelers could be considering parting ways with the former second-round pick. It’s hard to explain why you would leave one of your top offensive weapons off the field in a tight game where a win would have improved your record to 4-1, unless disciplinary reasons or preparations for a potential trade are in play.

This situation is not without precedent. Last year, Pickens scrubbed his social media of any Steelers-related content, sparking conversations and unnecessary drama. He also drew attention during a loss to the Patriots last December with on-field outbursts. After that game, veteran Minkah Fitzpatrick made a pointed remark:

“I think too many people don’t wanna toil for it. They just wanna walk out here and think that they’re gonna make plays… I think we need to check that mentality.”

It wasn’t hard to figure out who Fitzpatrick was referring to. Fast forward to today, and tight end Pat Freiermuth also seemed to address Pickens with a thinly veiled comment:

“I trust the coaches to know what they’re doing. Everyone can complain about not getting enough targets, but it’s the work you do without the ball – that’s what leaders and good teammates do. I work my ass off regardless.”

With recent reports from Dianna Russini suggesting the Steelers are preparing a strong offer for Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams, it raises the question: could Pickens be part of the equation in potential trade talks? If the organization has lost faith in his ability to mature, moving on from him may be an option they’re seriously considering.