Latest news with #GeorgePickens'
USA Today
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Steelers RB Kenneth Gainwell has hilarious response to taking George Pickens' No. 14
Steelers RB Kenneth Gainwell has hilarious response to taking George Pickens' No. 14 Ex-Steelers WR George Pickens' old jersey number is being handed out like candy — first to WR Montana Lemonious-Craig, and now to RB Kenneth Gainwell. Gainwell was last seen wearing No. 21 when he first signed with the Steelers, but the recent Pickens trade allowed the new Steelers running back to swoop in on his beloved No. 14. On Day 3 of OTAs, his comments about wearing his old number — as well as a potential dig at Pickens — were captured by ESPN's Brooke Pryor: "It means a lot to me. I'm excited about it. I know it was a previous guy's number, but that don't mean nothing these days. I'm excited to be back in 14 and continue that legacy." It truly doesn't "mean anything these days," as while the Steel City faithful could appreciate Pickens' insane one-handed, highlight-reel catches — his attitude and overall character concerns were another story. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys Plan to Turn 'Ugly' Into 'Perfect' With Pickens Trade
FRISCO - "Ugly'' seems too strong a word. And around here, "perfect'' definitely is considered that. But if we wish to put the finest point on the transformation that must occur if George Pickens' move from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Dallas Cowboys is to work? Advertisement OK. Fine. He's got to go from "ugly'' to "perfect.'' Our Mike Fisher in the Fish Report video below notes how he generally dismisses he idea of any trade, any move, any signing, being "perfect.'' We also think Cowboys Nation has the right to provide the standout receiver Pickens a clean slate as he comes to The Star with a negative reputation trailing him from The Steel City. The word from there? "I think it was getting really ugly behind the scenes there and I think some of the players of veteran leadership weren't too thrilled with George," one Steelers insider said. "That pushed it to the edge. A lot of the players were finally fed up with him, and the right players were fed up with him." Advertisement The contrary word from The Star? "He's a fiery competitor,'' COO Stephen Jones said. "And we love that he plays with an edge, and we think he'd be a good fit for our team." "Fiery'' and "edgy'' and "perfect''? Or ... "Ugly'' and "not too thrilled'' and "fed up''? The Dallas Cowboys, who have spent the last year largely sitting on their hands when it comes to "go for it'' moves from outside the building, are about to find out. Related: Cowboys All-Pro Signs In Major Move With Dak Prescott In Contract Chase Related: CeeDee Lamb Fires Off 1-Word Ego Message on George Pickens Trade Want more inside stuff on the Cowboys? Join us on the Fish Report!
New York Post
12-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
‘Toxic' fears behind Steelers' decision to trade George Pickens to Cowboys
It seems some of George Pickens' now-former Steelers teammates couldn't wait to say 'good riddance.' Days after Pittsburgh traded the mercurial wide receiver to the Cowboys, Steelers beat reporter Mark Kaboly alleged Monday that 'significant locker room guys got fed up with Pickens' antics' and feared toxicity could spread. 'Some felt that it would be counterproductive to keep him around, even with his unique talent,' Kaboly posted in a lengthy message on X. 'They felt the locker room could turn toxic.' Advertisement 4 A new report claims 'significant locker room guys got fed up' with George Pickens' 'antics' before he was traded to the Cowboys in May 2025. Getty Images 4 The report also suggested, 'Some felt that it would be counterproductive to keep him around.' Getty Images A second-round pick out of Georgia in 2022, Pickens found himself at the center of controversy last season because of his behavior, whether arriving late to contests or drawing unsportsmanlike conduct penalties during crucial games. Advertisement Head coach Mike Tomlin implored the 24-year-old Pickens to 'grow up' after being flagged in a December game against the Bengals. Pickens' future in Pittsburgh became a prominent storyline this offseason, with eagle-eyed fans pointing out this spring how he stopped following the team on social media. 4 The Cowboys traded a 2026 third rounder and a 2027 fifth rounder for George Pickens. Getty Images Even when the Steelers reportedly put Pickens on the trading block last month during the 2025 NFL Draft, some opposing teams 'laughed at the idea of inviting Pickens into their locker room for any price, let alone a second-day draft pick,' according to The Athletic. Advertisement That lack of enthusiasm around Pickens aligns with Kaboly's reporting, who noted Monday, 'Not many teams were interested in trading for Pickens, making it difficult for the Steelers to get market value,' and how the club 'wouldn't have traded him for anything less than a 3rd-round pick — something that wasn't offered until after the draft.' That allowed Dallas to pick up a shiny new toy for quarterback Dak Prescott last week for the price of a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder. The Steelers also shipped a 2027 sixth-rounder to the Cowboys as part of the deal. 4 George Pickens will be catching passes from Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (4) this season. Bill Kostroun/New York Post Although Pickens has embraced his new surroundings — 'I like the mojo here. I like the swag,' — drama has followed. Advertisement On Sunday, Pickens denied ripping the Steelers after purported screenshots seemingly showed he did just the opposite. 'Stop with the AI trying to make a story,' Pickens wrote in an Instagram Story. 'I'm happy for everything that the steel city did for me.' Pickens will make his regular-season debut with his new team on Thursday, Sept. 4, when the Cowboys open the season against the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles.
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Insider reveals George Pickens' true feelings for Steelers amid trade speculation
Insider reveals George Pickens' true feelings for Steelers amid trade speculation One of the big rumors coming out of the 2025 NFL Draft was that the Steelers were in talks with the Cowboys to potentially trade away star WR George Pickens — speculation that insider Gerry Dulac shot down. ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler recently shed more light on the situation — specifically, on how Pickens really feels about the Steel City: Here is what Fowler had to say on Friday's episode of NFL Live: "I was told Pickens, in the end, wants to be in Pittsburgh — he sort of flirted with a trade request, but in the end, he loves Mike Tomlin and wants to be a part of things." It is startling that Pickens was close to requesting a trade out of Pittsburgh — but who could blame him? After all, in his first three years in the league, he had to develop chemistry from scratch with Mitchell Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, Justin Fields, and Russell Wilson — all to have zero direction at QB heading into 2025. If the news about Pickens' love for Tomlin and the Steelers is to be believed, perhaps an extension — instead of the previously speculated 2026 trade — could be in the works.
