Practically every week later and Ben Roethlisberger continues to be attempting to make sense of the Pittsburgh Steelers buying and selling George Pickens. On his first Footbhalin podcast since final week’s transfer that dealt Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, Roethlisberger admitted his ideas are “jumbled” for why the Steelers determined a recent begin was necessary, particularly post-draft.
“I ponder, is he a much bigger headache than we even know?” Roethlisberger instructed co-host Spencer Te’o. “Clearly, we noticed final yr there have been some points. Coach Tomlin even got here out for the primary time in a very long time and criticized a participant. Saying he must develop up. Publicly.”
As Roethlisberger famous, Tomlin provided a uncommon public criticism of Pickens after routinely defending him to the media all through his three-year tenure. These feedback got here after Pickens racked up two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in a win over the Cincinnati Bengals after a irritating begin, a non-call on Pittsburgh’s first drive that led to a pick-six.
“He’s simply gotta develop up, man. It’s an emotional sport, man. These divisional video games are large,” Tomlin mentioned final December. “He’s received a goal on his again as a result of he’s George; he understands that. However he has gotta develop up.
“He’s gotta develop up in a rush.”
Feedback Roethlisberger endorsed Tomlin making. Pickens by no means appeared to get the message. Whereas wildly gifted and able to making performs few others can, he additionally made headlines for penalties, on-field and sideline outbursts, and was reportedly habitually late to conferences, staff journeys, and even video games. Omar Khan’s current feedback have been these of a franchise that had given up on Pickens maturing.
He’s simply the most recent instance of a troublesome Steelers receiver getting traded, becoming a member of Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, Martavis Bryant, and Antonio Brown. Santonio Holmes was additionally traded within the Mike Tomlin period, whereas we cited Chuck Noll making the same transfer with star WR Roy Jefferson in 1969.
Roethlisberger understood the Steelers weren’t more likely to re-sign Pickens within the 2026 offseason, dropping him to free company. As an alternative of probably acquiring a 2027 compensatory choice, Pittsburgh assured a 2026 third-rounder. The place that slots in will depend on the season Dallas has however the extra decide continues to stockpile the staff’s choices subsequent yr.
“Is that this extra of a we’re constructing for the longer term sort factor?” Roethlisberger mentioned. “Are they attempting to construct up draft capital for subsequent yr to maneuver up within the draft? You simply picked up two picks now. One’s this subsequent yr, one’s the yr after. In my head, I’m considering like,’ okay, the draft’s in Pittsburgh subsequent yr. Can they discover a approach with out dropping, clearly you wanna attempt to win, however profitable this yr, however nonetheless utilizing draft capital to get a High-10 decide subsequent yr in Pittsburgh?”
Nonetheless with no long-term reply at quarterback, Pittsburgh figures to be on the shortlist of groups making a robust push for one of many prime passers in subsequent yr’s class. How sturdy a bunch it’s stays to be seen. Most draftniks count on it to be higher than 2025’s weak crop, simply three quarterbacks chosen within the High 75 picks, however there’s no assure it’s as sturdy because the 2024 class that produced six passers within the prime dozen.
Assuming the Steelers don’t maintain one of many draft’s prime choices, they’ll possible have to commerce as much as land a blue-chip prospect—a transfer that comes with danger however a big-time payoff. The Buffalo Payments and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs made gambles on Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. Nobody remembers what they gave up for both participant.
Simply as present gamers like CB Beanie Bishop Jr. envisioned, Roethlisberger was wanting ahead to Pickens and DK Metcalf making performs for a Steelers’ offense searching for a lift.
“It will’ve been a lot enjoyable to see these two receivers on the sphere,” he mentioned. “And to be like, that is superior.”
As an alternative, the Steelers will work to interchange Pickens’ function within the lineup. That begins internally with WR Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson. Austin broke out in 2024 however doesn’t profile as an out of doors receiver and is finest as a No. 3 who often makes a splash play. Wilson is a clean slate who barely participated in his rookie yr, ankle and hamstring accidents severely hampering his season. If Pittsburgh doesn’t like their development, the staff might contemplate free agent and commerce avenues.
Take a look at all the episode of Roethlisberger’s podcast beneath.
