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Todd Archer
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Todd Archer
ESPN Workers Author
- Todd Archer is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Dallas Cowboys. Archer has lined the NFL since 1997 and Dallas since 2003. He joined ESPN in 2010.
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Brooke Pryor
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Brooke Pryor
ESPN Workers Author
- Brooke Pryor is a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN who has lined the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2019. She beforehand lined the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs for the Kansas Metropolis Star and the College of Oklahoma for The Oklahoman.
The post-NFL draft quiet was shattered Wednesday morning by one of many extra important trades of the 2025 offseason. The Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to commerce proficient however mercurial extensive receiver George Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round decide to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 third-rounder and a 2027 fifth-rounder.
The deal closes the books on Pickens’ three-year profession in Pittsburgh, the place the 2022 second-round pick of Georgia amassed 174 receptions, 2,841 yards and 12 touchdowns, together with a 1,140-yard season in 2023. Pickens’ tenure within the Metal Metropolis was additionally beset by points together with perceived unhappiness with the Steelers’ offense and accusations of an absence of effort from NFL observers.
Pickens leaves a void in Pittsburgh on the identical time he is supplied a brand new alternative in Dallas. ESPN NFL reporters Todd Archer, Jeremy Fowler and Brooke Pryor weighed in on the implications for each groups and for Pickens himself:
Why did the Steelers transfer on from Pickens? Why now?
The Steelers had been exploring commerce companions for Pickens previous to the draft, however discussions have been tabled in the course of the draft after they weren’t capable of land their desired worth. Although the Steelers aren’t capable of capitalize on the return from the Pickens commerce within the brief time period, by dealing him now, they keep away from what might’ve been a contentious offseason.
Coming into the ultimate yr of his rookie deal, Pickens is eligible for an extension. The Steelers beforehand expressed a want to maintain the receiver in Pittsburgh, however extending him would’ve been dangerous — and probably dramatic if the 2 sides did not see eye-to-eye on contract phrases.
Although he was an explosive and productive participant for the Steelers on the sphere, Pickens had a sample of regarding conduct over his three years with the group and sometimes drew the ire of coaches for his sideline histrionics and expensive celebrations. In opposition to the Bengals in Week 13 final season, he was flagged twice for unsportsmanlike conduct after making massive catches, and every week earlier, he was concerned in a scuffle with Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II. Then, previous to the Christmas Day recreation towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Pickens arrived on the stadium lower than 90 minutes previous to kickoff, an unusually late arrival time.
“He is simply received to develop up, man,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stated after the win over the Bengals. “That is an emotional recreation, man. These divisional video games are massive. He is received a goal on his again as a result of he is George; he understands that. However he is received to develop up. He is received to develop up in a rush.” — Pryor
How does Pickens match the Cowboys offense underneath coach Brian Schottenheimer?
The Cowboys needed to deliver some “juice” to their offense by way of pace reverse CeeDee Lamb. Pickens ran a 4.47 40 on the NFL mix in 2022, and he led the NFL in yards per catch in 2023 at 18.1.
Based on ESPN Analysis, Pickens ranks third in receiving yards on vertical routes since 2022 with 1,630, trailing the Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill (2,163) and Vikings’ Justin Jefferson (1,668). His 15.3 yards per catch final season have been the sixth most amongst move catchers with 50 or extra receptions. The final time the Cowboys had a receiver with 50 or extra receptions who averaged greater than 15 yards per catch was Michael Gallup in 2019 (66 catches, 16.8 yards per catch). — Archer
How does this transfer impression the Steelers offense and the Steelers’ recruitment of Aaron Rodgers?
At NFL league conferences final month, Steelers brass was agency that buying DK Metcalf was extra a operate of wanting their very own powerhouse extensive receiver tandem — like Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins — than it was a referendum on Pickens’ future with the group. However in buying and selling away Pickens, the Steelers are again to having only one prime extensive receiver on the roster.
Outdoors of one other blockbuster deal, the Steelers’ extensive receiver depth is skinny behind Metcalf with Calvin Austin III and his 548 yards being the group’s prime returning receiver from final season. Although it seems to be comparable on paper, it is not essentially the identical state of affairs the Steelers have been in a yr in the past after they closely pursued a commerce for 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk. A six-year NFL veteran with three 1,000-yard seasons, Metcalf is extra of a identified commodity than Pickens — and a extra constant one. The Steelers additionally return tight finish Pat Freiermuth, and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has a penchant for designing schemes that get probably the most out of the place.
Whereas Metcalf and Pickens taking part in collectively might’ve made for an explosive and high-flying passing assault — particularly with Rodgers at quarterback — the Steelers wish to have a extra balanced offense with a robust run recreation. Although they parted with Najee Harris in free company, the group drafted Iowa working again Kaleb Johnson within the third spherical, returned Jaylen Warren and signed Kenneth Gainwell. Buying and selling away Pickens lowers the ceiling for explosive performs, but it surely doubtless raises the ground by lowering volatility on the offense.
Pickens’ absence additionally doubtless would not do a lot to impression the Steelers’ recruitment of Rodgers. The group has remained in communication with Rodgers all through the offseason, they usually have been conscious of Rodgers’ private points off the sphere. Due to that communication, it is unlikely Rodgers wasn’t aware of the group’s plans for Pickens. Rodgers is infamous in holding his receivers to excessive requirements, particularly of their route working, and Pickens has a historical past of not working the right routes or not ending his routes. That would’ve put the quarterback at odds with one among his prime offensive weapons. — Pryor
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The numbers behind new Cowboys WR George Pickens
A take a look at George Pickens’ NFL stats as a commerce is finalized to ship him to Dallas to play alongside CeeDee Lamb.
With the draft behind us, who is offered at extensive receiver for the Steelers through commerce or free company?
Whereas the choices for NFL receiver assist following the Pickens commerce seem slim, the Steelers have room to maneuver. Pittsburgh is positioned to have three third-round picks in subsequent yr’s draft after this commerce. They might parlay a kind of right into a package deal for one more veteran receiver. Would the Bears half with DJ Moore after drafting Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III in back-to-back drafts? Whether or not he is obtainable or not, these are the varieties of calls Pittsburgh can a minimum of make.
Aiyuk’s market could possibly be depressed coming off an ACL harm, and Pittsburgh pursued him final offseason. Calling the Packers about Romeo Doubs could be worthwhile, since Inexperienced Bay’s receiver room has grow to be crowded. On the free agent market, Keenan Allen could be a succesful inside-out participant alongside DK Metcalf. Amari Cooper could be pleasant for Pittsburgh’s new quarterback, presumably Rodgers. — Fowler
Why did the Cowboys wait so lengthy to handle their WR2 spot? Whose touches could possibly be impacted by Pickens’ presence?
Once more with the ready. All people thinks the Cowboys wait on every part. Pickens hasn’t missed something however the first couple of weeks of the Cowboys’ offseason program. The Cowboys needed to draft Tetairoa McMillan within the first spherical and would have if he did not get picked at No. 8 by the Carolina Panthers. They don’t wish to pay massive {dollars} in free company. That they had talks with just a few groups, together with two AFC groups concerning a receiver, however this take care of the Steelers got here collectively faster.
Of the Cowboys’ receivers not named CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Tolbert needs to be probably the most impacted. He had 49 catches for 610 yards and a team-leading seven scores final season, as he toggled backwards and forwards between the WR2 and WR3 roles when Brandin Cooks was out. But when the Cowboys’ passing recreation could be at its finest underneath Dak Prescott, then Tolbert’s numbers from a yr in the past could be completely acceptable for a No. 3 wideout. — Archer
What are Pickens’ contract realities? May he have a long-term future in Dallas?
By giving up a third-round decide, this cannot be a one-year rental for Pickens, though Fowler reported that the Cowboys don’t plan to increase Pickens’ contract and anticipate him to play out his rookie deal.
The Cowboys have quite a lot of points to work by with edge-rusher Micah Parsons, tight finish Jake Ferguson and cornerback DaRon Bland additionally coming into the ultimate yr of their respective offers. There is just one franchise tag to go round, so the Cowboys should be proactive.
When the Cowboys made their final massive additions at receiver, they have been capable of hold Amari Cooper off the market with a $20 million-a-year deal following the 2018 season. In 2009, they signed Roy Williams to a five-year, $45 million deal after buying him from the Detroit Lions.
With Lamb already making $34 million a season, the Cowboys are already paying one receiver on the prime of the market. How excessive would they go to maintain Pickens? — Archer
