On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 2026 third- and fifth-round draft pick. Pickens now joins the Cowboys after spending the first three seasons of his career with the Steelers. Prior to the trade, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News stated that Pickens was concerned about his future with Pittsburgh because of the team’s unstable quarterback situation. Despite widespread expectations, the Steelers have failed to sign quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Even if Rodgers joins the team, he is 41 years old and not a long-term solution for the club. Pittsburgh lacks a proven starting quarterback on its roster roster, and did not take a quarterback in the draft until the sixth round—when they picked Will Howard out of Ohio State.

Watkins also stated that Pickens is excited to join Dallas, and that the opportunity to play alongside Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb drew him to the team. Dallas not only gets a much-needed second wide receiver to complement Lamb, but also a player who isn’t looking for a contract extension. According to Watkins, Pickens has “no desire” to sign an extension and is “willing” to prove himself to the Cowboys. Dallas recently extended large contracts to Prescott, Lamb, and defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa, and it is still attempting to sign linebacker Micah Parsons. Despite Pickens’ alleged reservations about sticking with the Steelers, Pittsburgh reporter Mark Kaboly said that the decision to move Pickens arrived .Pickens has had some immature moments on the field over the first few seasons of his career, including grabbing cornerback Jourdan Lewis by the facemask and throwing him to the ground, or getting entangled with a Washington Commanders defender after quarterback Russell Wilson threw an interception. The Steelers previously added a No. 1 wideout this offseason by trading for D.K. Metcalf, and are now moving on from Pickens.