Latest news with #GeorgePickens
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers' New-Look Receiver Group Disrespected in Latest Ranking
Steelers' New-Look Receiver Group Disrespected in Latest Ranking originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Pittsburgh Steelers traded away star wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, but they also made a trade with the Seattle Seahawks to acquire their star wideout, D.K. Metcalf. Advertisement And some are not necessarily a fan of the move. In a recent article by PFF's Trevor Sikkema, he ranks every NFL team's wide receiver corps going into the 2025 season. But near the bottom of the list at No. 29, he has the Steelers' new group. "The Steelers traded for D.K. Metcalf in the offseason but then shipped off George Pickens. That profiles as only a slight upgrade for a team that finished 20th in PFF receiving grade in 2024," Sikkema wrote. "Pittsburgh should get more out of second-year receiver Roman Wilson, who was largely injured last season, and the backfield combination of Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell brings some third-down, pass-catching ability." A big factor in the team being able to prove this ranking wrong is Roman Wilson, who did not play in his rookie season due to injury. If he can step up in a big way, the team's wide receiver corps could improve tremendously. Advertisement As for Metcalf, he had also 100 more receiving yards than Pickens last season, as well as two more touchdowns. Pairing new quarterback Aaron Rodgers with a receiver with athleticism like Metcalf's just feels like a match made in heaven. The Steelers will go into the 2025 season looking to make the playoffs for the third straight season, as well as prove this ranking wrong. Related: Insider Says Rodgers Impacted Steelers' Pickens Trade Related: Steelers Praised For Most Controversial Offseason Move This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
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Ex-Steelers WR George Pickens goes viral after claiming he forced trade out of Pittsburgh
George Pickens isn't taking criticism from Steelers fans lying down — as he recently took to social media to clear up who was really responsible for his trade to the Dallas Cowboys. In a now-deleted tweet, Pickens claimed that he forced his trade out of Pittsburgh — contradicting previous reports that Steelers HC Mike Tomlin made the call: Advertisement 'I forced [the trade] buddy. [The Steelers] were gladly keeping me. Have a nice day and a blessed one my guy.' Reports had been circulating that the disgruntled wide receiver wanted to remain a Pittsburgh Steeler — which makes this new take difficult to believe, even if it's from Pickens himself. If he truly did force his way out of Pittsburgh, it would explain why the Cowboys gave up only a third-round pick, as the Steelers would've lost all leverage. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Former Steelers WR George Pickens says he forced his trade to Cowboys
Yahoo
10 hours ago
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Insider reveals new Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers played huge role in George Pickens trade
Aaron Rodgers is finally a Pittsburgh Steeler — but at what cost? According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, acquiring the four-time MVP may have come at the expense of WR George Pickens, as the Steelers were allegedly worried about the dynamic between the two larger-than-life personalities — ultimately leading to his trade to the Dallas Cowboys: Advertisement "Staying with Pittsburgh-related matters, the Steelers moved on from Pickens for a few reasons. His maturity issues were well-known within Pittsburgh's locker room and front office. So, the Steelers made the evaluation that Pickens and Rodgers probably would not hit it off." Considering Rodgers' infamous red line incident with then-Jets WR Mike Williams, and Pickens' consistent on- and off-the-field behavior, it was probably for the best that Pittsburgh decided to cut ties with their wide receiver earlier than his projected 2026 exit — avoiding a character conflict in the locker room. Will the Steelers ultimately acquire one of Rodgers' former teammates, like Jets WR Allen Lazard, to alleviate some of the growing pains? Or will Pittsburgh rely on the in-house wideouts to replace Pickens' productivity? For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' Aaron Rodgers led to George Pickens trade, per insider
Yahoo
13 hours ago
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Cowboys Urged To Trade Struggling Tight End
Cowboys Urged To Trade Struggling Tight End originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Dallas Cowboys underwent some considerable offensive personnel changes throughout the offseason. Starting at the Cowboys parted ways with head coach and play caller Mike McCarthy and promoted Brian Schottenheimer to that seat. Advertisement They turned around and addressed some glaring holes on the roster. The trade for wide receiver George Pickens remains the most notable of these, but Dallas also installed rookie Tyler Booker at right guard and brought in an entirely new backfield comprised of rookies and veterans. Dak Prescott remains QB1 though they pursued and acquired Joe Milton III to serve as his new backup. All areas of the offense had some sort of makeover or overhaul besides the tight end position. It appears Jake Ferguson will headline this group once again with Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford slotting in behind him. But could the Cowboys offload one of those players to clear the way for another? Spann-Ford has been gaining momentum this offseason and has Schottenheimer believing in a big jump next season as he detailed in his press conference last week. Advertisement "This guy is not just a run blocker and a pass protector. This guy can be a weapon because of his size in the middle of the field, matched up on linebackers and safeties... He's already made the jump." For that reason K.D. Drummond of Cowboys Wire has urged the Cowboys to explore a trade for Schoonmaker. "For the Cowboys, the trades have all been about bringing in young talent, but perhaps it's time they consider cashing out on a drafted prospect the same way other teams have. The Cowboys should heavily consider seeing if there's a trade market for tight end Luke Schoonmaker." Schoonmaker has not lived up to the billing of a second-round pick. Despite that draft value, is there really a reason to send him away? Advertisement The idea of trading a low-usage player to add some draft capital sounds good in theory. But there really is no market for him out there. Schoonmaker may not be a No. 1 option and perhaps Spann-Ford surpasses him at training camp later this summer. At the same time, tight end depth has provides value in the form of insurance if Ferguson gets injured and misses time. Dallas needs the supporting cast pieces able to do some of the dirty work or step in when their number's called. Schoonmaker may be penciled into that spot next season but it does not mean the Cowboys need to find an off ramp. Related: Ex Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer Scores Unexpected Prize Related: George Pickens Is '99.9 Percent Perfect' Move To Cowboys Optimism This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
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Jerry Blocks Cowboys From One Move To 'Perfect' Offseason
Jerry Blocks Cowboys From One Move To 'Perfect' Offseason originally appeared on Athlon Sports. We don't like to throw the word "perfect" too loosely around here, and when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys, nothing has been close to perfect for decades. Advertisement But this offseason, one could say, has been perhaps the most promising in recent memory. From the free agent signings to the draft haul and then the trade for George Pickens, it has been a solid couple of months for new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Yet there is one thing that is sticking in our paw: Micah Parsons' contract saga. With the "Lion" set to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in football, getting this deal over the line on time and not having it drag out is what fans want. And for SI's Gilberto Manzano, Dallas' offseason won't be complete until Micah signs on the dotted line. "Dak Prescott has a knack for pushing the ball downfield (he's developed fine in that area) and Pickens will see favorable matchups playing next to CeeDee Lamb, who will now likely see more snaps from the slot position," Manzano wrote. Advertisement "However, this near-perfect Cowboys offseason goes beyond the trade for Pickens. Dallas again prioritized the offensive line with the first-round selection of guard Tyler Booker, the replacement for the recently retired Zack Martin. And the defense could be better with the arrivals of rookies Donovan Ezeiruaku and Shavon Revel Jr. "Still, this won't be a perfect offseason until the team locks down Micah Parsons with a contract extension." And we it's said "the team'' needs to do it? What we all mean is that "Jerry Jones needs to do it.'' Micah Parsons (left) And Brian Schottenheimer (right)Tony Fisher Is that a fair assessment? We think so. The offensive line was bolstered with Booker, plus defensively with Ezeiruaku and Revel Jr, if those three picks "hit," then Dallas is off to the races. Advertisement Plus, CeeDee Lamb had a genuine running mate, and the Cowboys have filled out the roster reasonably well with running back now no longer the punchline for jokes. Still, this is all a projection, but we are struggling to find more that Schottenheimer could do to improve this team over the past six months (maybe a run-stuffing defensive tackle). It has been about as good an offseason as Schotty could have hoped for, but one thing is stopping it from being great – Micah being unsigned ... which means Jerry picking up the phone to close what figures to be a deal that will make Parsons the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history at over $40 million APY. Get that done, and the Cowboys will be rolling into 2025 with good energy and vibes unlike anything we've seen over the past couple of seasons. Advertisement Related: What Is 'Best-Case' Scenario For Schotty And Cowboys? Related: Cowboys Coach Denies Caleb Williams Film Rumor This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
