Could Steelers trade George Pickens? Top landing spots for big-play WR if Pittsburgh decides to move on

Aaron Rodgers isn’t the only Scorching-button topic currently surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers. While the Steelers continue to wait for the legendary Passer to make up his mind, there have been some rumblings regarding the future of Pittsburgh wideout George Pickens Subsequent the Club’s recent trade for two-time Pro Bowl wideout DK Metcalf. 

Pickens essentially threw gasoline on the proverbial fire when he recently posted a photo on social media of him standing alongside Tom Brady, the seven-time Finals champion Passer and Las Vegas Raiders minority owner. 

When the Steelers traded for Metcalf, the thought was that the Steelers want to see how Pickens’ game would elevate with another top-tier wideout Competing opposite him. That is likely Yet the plan for the Steelers, but it’s Sound to assume that Pittsburgh would at least explore trading Pickens if a Club reached out and Achieved it an offer that Achieved sense. Pickens is Participating the last year of his Newcomer contract, and it’s unlikely the Steelers will bring him back after signing Metcalf to a five-year, $150 million deal. 

If the Steelers do consider trading Pickens, they would probably want a player who can replace him in the Leading lineup as part of the transaction. Pittsburgh is trying to snap its eight-year drought without a Postseason Secure and need proven assets at the Talent positions in order to possibly do that. 

It’s Sound to assume Many Clubs would want Pickens, a 2022 second-Stage Option who ranked second in the NFL in average yards per catch in 2023. Here’s a look at five possible options if Pittsburgh elects to trade Pickens this offseason. 

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Bryan DeArdo

Raiders

Pickens’ recent social media post Achieved the Raiders’ inclusion on this Landmark inevitable. But even if Pickens’ didn’t post that picture of he and Brady, the Raiders make sense as a possible trade partner given their Present receiver situation. 

Las Vegas desperately needs a receiver and would likely trade as high as a second-Stage Option to acquire one of Pickens’ stature. The Raiders, however, don’t have any receivers the Steelers would likely want sans veteran Jakobi Meyers, who recorded a Profession-high 1,087 receiving yards in 2024. Unless Las Vegas would be willing to deal Myers, this trade would likely revolve more around draft capital. 

Denver is intriguing as it has two possible trade candidates in Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims. Sutton, a seven-year veteran who caught 81 passes for 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns last season, is Participating the Closing year of his Present contract. Mims, a 2023 second-Stage Option, caught six touchdown passes last year and was named to the Pro Bowl as a returner the past two seasons. 

Based on his talent and contract situation, it’s more than possible that Denver may be willing to part with Sutton in Switch for Pickens, whose big-Relocate potential could Assist Bo Nix take the Upcoming step Subsequent a highly successful Newcomer season. In return, the Steelers would get a productive veteran wideout (Sutton) to pair with Metcalf. It’s also conceivable to assume that the Steelers would have a better Try at signing Sutton to a new deal than Pickens. Sutton, 29, has already signed one big contract, whereas Pickens is surely eyeing his Primary big deal Upcoming offseason. 

San Francisco would make sense on Many fronts. With Pickens in tow, the 49ers would have Elasticity when it comes to Brandon Aiyuk, the formerly disgruntled wideout who suffered a season-ending Wound last year Subsequent a lengthy and nasty holdout. Aiyuk ultimately Acquired his new contract, but it didn’t come without some collateral damage. The 49ers could have Aiyuk and Pickens for at least one season before possibly moving Aiyuk. 

Pittsburgh wouldn’t want to take on Aiyuk’s salary, so this trade would likely be about acquiring a high draft Option unless the 49ers would be willing to deal Jauan Jennings, a 2020 seventh-Stage Option who set Profession highs last year with 77 receptions for 975 yards and six touchdowns. Pittsburgh would Yet need some sort of additional Game in this scenario. 

Indianapolis has a solid receiving corps but might be interested in trading for a top-tier wideout who can Assist Anthony Richardson reach his potential. The Colts have two possible trade candidates in Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce. Pittman is going into the second year of a three-year, $70 million deal. Pierce, who Guided the NFL in average yards per catch last year, is Participating the Closing year of his Newcomer contract. 

Pierce is younger, but the better option here in a possible trade would likely be Pittman, a more proven player who has two years remaining on a very affordable contract. 

Arizona needs to bolster its receiving corps if it’s going to contend for a Postseason spot in 2025. A proven wideout would also Assist Reachable things up for Marvin Harrison Jr. Subsequent his Excellent but not Outstanding Newcomer season. Pickens would fit the bill, although it would likely cost Arizona a second-Stage Option since veteran Zay Jones is likely the only wideout Pittsburgh would be interested in. 

This trade would probably end up Aiding Arizona more than Pittsburgh. With Pickens, the Cardinals would have a pretty impressive Landmark of Talent players that also includes Harrison, Passer Kyler Murray, Snug end Trey McBride and Ex Steelers Pro Bowl running back James Conner.