Report: Steelers wide receiver George Pickens 'brought up' in trade discussions

According to FOX’s Jordan Schultz, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has been “brought up” in trade discussions. This has been coming from other teams, not the Steelers. Schultz says Pittsburgh is not “actively shopping” Pickens but the conversations have occurred.

“Sources: Multiple teams have brought up #Steelers WR George Pickens in trade discussions, and he’s a name to watch this week,” Schultz said via X. “Pittsburgh isn’t actively shopping him, but the conversations have taken place. Pickens is entering the final year of his contract.”

As mentioned, Pickens is in the final year of his rookie contract. Pittsburgh took him with the No. 52 overall pick back in the 2022 NFL Draft. His development has certainly been a positive one for the Steelers, even though the quarterback situation has been shaky.

Pickens caught 59 passes on over 100 targets. He wound up with 900 yards and a career-low three touchdowns. An impact was made in the Steelers’ lone playoff game of the year, catching all five of his targets for 87 yards and a score.

To this point, there have not been talks of a contract extension heading Pickens’ way. If the Steelers are not interested in bringing the wide receiver back, a trade could come to fruition.

“I had a really solid exit meeting with GP, and I can tell you that he has a desire to be great,” Steelers general manager Omar Khan said in February at the NFL Combine. “He has a desire to be great here. We have a desire for him to be great and to be great here, with respect to the contract. We won’t discuss that publicly and usually those things are addressed at a later date.”

Pittsburgh did make a big-time offseason move when it came to wide receiver. At least for the time being, Pickens is expected to line up with DK Metcalf. A second-round pick was sent to the Seattle Seahawks for Metcalf as one of the NFL’s more interesting duos gets formed.

Thursday will bring the 2025 NFL Draft and the Steelers own the No. 21 overall pick. Plenty of options are expected to be out there, including a quarterback. Maybe there will be a fresh-faced rookie throwing balls to Pickens and Metcalf this fall.

Or, Pickens could be in a completely different market. Per Schultz, the conversations are at least taking place between the Steelers and other teams.