George Pickens was the Steelers' leading wide receiver the past two seasons. He just turned 24 and still is on his rookie contract, counting $3.656 million against the cap in 2025. Yet, the Steelers traded him anyway.

Longtime Steelers rival T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who infamously disrespected the Terrible Towel, took aim at George Pickens' time in Pittsburgh.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Plaxico Burress believes the Steelers got worse with the George Pickens trade, and that Pickens is a better player than DK Metcalf. Burress broke down both of the top receivers’ games and says that when he is locked in, Pickens is by far the better player than Metcalf.