This could be an interesting offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pro Football Focus released their list of 2025 trade candidates, and among the 15 players, standout receiver George Pickens was one of them.
As crazy as the idea of trading arguably their best offensive player may seem, analyst Bradley Locker suggests there might be more to the idea than meets the eye—specifically, character concerns.
Since their Week 17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, there has been much speculation about him leaving, following his interaction with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce during their postgame interview. Additionally, his poor performance and altercation with Steelers fans during their Week 18 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals only added fuel to the speculation that the organization might move on from him after this season.
"Would Pittsburgh really want to trade arguably its best offensive player, and clear-cut best wide receiver? The superficial answer might be no, but this situation is more delicate than it may outwardly appear.
Pickens is entering a contract year in 2025, and he’ll undoubtedly seek a compensatory payday before going into next season. The question is whether or not the Steelers want to entrust him with that and commit to him long term."
This season, Pickens led all Steelers pass catchers with 103 targets, 900 receiving yards, and an average of 15.3 yards per reception. With the upcoming playoff matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Pickens has the perfect opportunity to showcase his true value and make a strong case for an extension this offseason.
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