Latest news with #GeorgePickens
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ex Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson Defends Departed Star Wideout George Pickens
Ex Pittsburgh Steelers QB Russell Wilson Defends Departed Star Wideout George Pickens originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Pittsburgh Steelers have cut ties with two of their biggest offensive tools from last season. Advertisement Quarterback Russell Wilson was not offered a new contract after playing last season on a one-year deal, and George Pickens was traded away to the Dallas Cowboys. Wilson's time in Pittsburgh was up and down. He posted 2,482 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions across 11 starts, but posted a 6-5 record after starting his season with six straight wins. Wilson took over for Justin Fields in the Week 7 win over the New York Jets. Wilson's top target last year was George Pickens, whose time in Pittsburgh wasn't just up and down; it was downright contentious. Now that they're both gone, Wilson spoke out about his feelings on Pickens and their time together in the Steel City. Advertisement "I love George," Wilson said this week on Carmelo Anthony's '7PM in Brooklyn' podcast. "His ability to catch the football is one of a kind. Anything in his vicinity, he's [going to] catch it. On a serious note, he's misunderstood. He wants to be great, you know? I think, also, his ability, where he can take it from not just being great, to being one of the world's best, I think he has that in him." Pickens had moments of brilliance on the field but also displayed childish tantrums. He had to be restrained on the sidelines more than once due to altercations with fans, and he drew numerous fines throughout his tenure. The Steelers saw all this as enough to move him and let him become the Cowboys' problem. Pickens seems happy in his new hometown, though. Advertisement "This game is just as much a business as it is football. It's kinda like out of my control," Pickens said. "I'm glad to be here in Dallas and able to continue the winning culture that they have." "Winning culture?" Ok, George. We'll take your word for it. Related: Ex Seahawks WR Disrespects 'Overrated' DK Metcalf Related: Steelers Continue Roster Changes with UDFA Cut This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ex Seattle Seahawks WR Disrespects 'Overrated' DK Metcalf
Ex Seattle Seahawks WR Disrespects 'Overrated' DK Metcalf originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Pittsburgh Steelers have re-tooled their wide receivers room this offseason, first trading for Seattle Seahawks wideout DK Metcalf, then sending George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys in another trade. Advertisement Pickens had seemingly worn out his welcome in Pittsburgh, and after the acquisition of Metcalf, Pickens was expendable. Metcalf was pretty successful in Seattle over the course of six seasons, posting 6,324 yards on 4438 catches with 48 touchdowns, and being widely regarded as one of the better pass catchers in the game. But one former Seahawks receiver thinks the Seahawks room is better after shipping Metcalf off to Pittsburgh. Bryan Walters said on the Brock and Salk podcast that he thinks Metcalf was "slightly overrated" in Seattle. "I've been very vocal about kind of my thoughts on DK as a wide receiver... and you know, maybe I'll be a little nice I guess, but slightly overrated,' Walters said. 'I think he's gonna do well in Pittsburgh, but at the same time I just think that they really revamped this wide receiver room to fit that [Klint] Kubiak scheme and a lot of guys that are better route runners and guys that just kinda complement each other. I think [Jaxon Smith-Njigba] and Cooper Kupp are gonna be so fun to watch together." Advertisement Walters and Metcalf never played together, so it's hard to imagine there's a personal issue between the two, but Metcalf's numbers can't be disputed. Since entering the league as a second-round pick out of Ole Miss in 2019, Metcalf boasts the sixth-most receiving yards in the NFL. And it's the numbers that the Steelers are looking at, even if they don't yet have a quarterback to throw him the ball. Related: Steelers Running Back Room Is Crowded Related: Steelers Linked to Ex $50M Tight End This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Steelers Insider Questions Pickens' Happiness in Dallas
Steelers Insider Questions Pickens' Happiness in Dallas originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Receiver George Pickens ran out of time with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Between penalties, plays off, and a volatile off-field presence, the acquisition of DK Metcalf gave Pittsburgh all the leeway it needed to trade Pickens. Advertisement The deal was made shortly after the 2025 NFL Draft, sending Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 third-round selection and a 2027 Day 3 pick swap. Now, Pickens is set for a contract year with an even brighter spotlight attached. With better quarterback play, his production should improve. Behind CeeDee Lamb on the depth chart, though, there's room for things to go poorly. Steelers insider Brian Batko recently questioned whether Pickens will truly be happy with the Cowboys. "I don't think that there was an epiphany," Batko told talkSPORT in a recent interview. "I think there is a legitimate refreshing change of pace for him, just because of the weight of all this – most of them self-inflicted headaches that he caused in Pittsburgh, or headaches that he had to deal with in Pittsburgh. And that naturally engendered a lot of negativity from the fan base, as well.' Advertisement There's every chance that Pickens' change of scenery proves fruitful. He might be embraced differently by head coach Brian Schottenheimer than Mike Tomlin (although the latter is widely known as a player's coach). Dak Prescott's presence should keep him sane, too. Dallas is also in a competitive window, and if things go right, Pickens could find himself playing meaningful January football. "You're playing in beautiful Jerry World instead of gritty and grimy Acrisure Stadium in half of your games,' Batko said. 'You're in a more pass-happy offense. So, yeah, I think he will be happier." Pickens isn't just playing to make a good first impression. He's hoping to land the extension that he couldn't in Pittsburgh or set himself up for success as a high-level receiver on the open market. Advertisement While that's a reason to be on his best behavior, it's possible that pressure mounts with adversity late in the year. "The question I have about George Pickens is will that happiness remain when you are getting closer to becoming an unrestricted free agent, if your numbers aren't where you want them to be?" Batko asked. Neither Cowboys fans or the Steelers faithful know how Pickens will perform, on or off the field, in 2025. The two fanbases likely have contrasting ideas on the issue. Regardless, everything Pickens does this season will be under more scrutiny than ever before. It's on him to redefine himself and his reputation ahead of free agency. Related: One Position Defines Steelers Trading Pickens Related: How Well Does Kaleb Johnson Fit Steelers Offense? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Steelers' Robert Woods Hoping To Follow Hines Ward's Footsteps
Steelers' Robert Woods Hoping To Follow Hines Ward's Footsteps originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Pittsburgh Steelers willingly made themselves less talented on offense when they traded away receiver George Pickens just months after acquiring Seattle Seahawks star DK Metcalf. Advertisement The Steelers' decision was more than a matter of future draft capital and an extension that seemed increasingly unlikely. Given that Pickens wore out his welcome, it was a move underlined by Pittsburgh's culture, too. And if there's a receiver who embodies head coach Mike Tomlin's vision, it's one of Pickens' replacements, Robert Woods. As a versatile receiver built on winning along the margins, Woods is more than his production. Now, the Steelers receiver is hoping to follow franchise icon Hines Ward's footsteps. 'Hines was getting involved in the blocking,' Woods said, via The Athletic's Mike DeFabo. 'But when you really watch him going across the middle, making big catches, taking hits, just being a physical receiver, running with the football, fighting for extra yards, I think that's the mentality, that's the mindset of the team (we're) trying to get back to in the receiver room.' Advertisement Woods was targeted 30 times for just 20 receptions and 203 yards. He's currently penciled into a starting role alongside Calvin Austin III and Metcalf. But with Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, and Scotty Miller vying for playing time, it seems more likely that Woods plays an on-and-off role in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's offense. Given his willingness to block, it's easy to see him carving out snaps on early downs and aiding the run game. By the looks of it, he's craving that opportunity. 'I think a lot of guys are fake tough guys,' he said. 'When you get hit, you kind of really see who's really tough. 'Just being able to deliver the blow every single time. Obviously, you get a guy on the sideline, you hit him once, (he) might come in a little different the next time, and that's when you're able to fight for those extra yards and get those first downs. And it's a long game, and guys don't want to be hit for four quarters, and you see that. And I think if you have a whole team who is delivering the blow every single play, I think you'll see teams start turning down.' Advertisement Woods is far from the Los Angeles Rams' premier ancillary target. But his nuance as a receiver, trustworthiness at the catch point, and general tenacity give him some staying power. In Pittsburgh, Woods has a chance to embody the culture that the Steelers are trying to reinforce. With instability under center and turnover at receiver, that could prove to be a stabilizing force in 2025. 'Finally getting a chance to run with the football and being physical that way, I always wanted to deliver the blow and not be the one receiving it.' Related: One Position Defines Steelers Trading Pickens Related: Steelers Insider Questions Pickens' Happiness in Dallas This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ex-Steelers WR George Pickens goes viral after claiming he forced trade out of Pittsburgh
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: '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.
