The Pittsburgh Steelers began their offseason with a bang, buying and selling for and increasing DK Metcalf simply earlier than free company started. A few months later, they moved George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, primarily changing Pickens with Metcalf of their WR1 function. That was a part of a plan they’d put into place months earlier, in keeping with NFL insider Adam Caplan.
“They [Steelers] decided, on the finish of the 2024 season, that they knew that they weren’t going to increase George Pickens’ contract,” Caplan mentioned Monday on FOX Sports activities Radio. “There was no manner this is able to work with Pickens, they felt. And so they have been going to maneuver him for no matter they might get, the very best they might get. And Dallas was very and so they made that work.”
As quickly as Pittsburgh traded for Metcalf, the writing gave the impression to be on the wall for Pickens. He didn’t have probably the most spectacular 2024 season and was changing into extra of a headache for the Steelers. He’s within the final yr of his rookie contract, and there didn’t appear to be any plan to maintain him round on an extension. That, plus Metcalf and Pickens having comparable play kinds, appeared to deliver an finish to Pickens’ time in Pittsburgh.
Caplan suggests the Steelers at all times knew they have been going to maneuver George Pickens for the very best worth they might get. That tracks with another reporting in regards to the state of affairs. The Cowboys reportedly upped their provide after the draft, after they didn’t discover a receiver of their very own. Then, the Steelers felt like they lastly acquired the worth they wished.
Nevertheless, they discovered Pickens’ substitute lengthy earlier than that commerce was made. In line with Caplan, that’s as a result of they didn’t worth the receivers on this yr’s draft a lot.
“They needed to get anyone to switch [Pickens], and so they weren’t gonna await the draft,” Caplan mentioned. “By the way in which, the phrase across the league was, good receiver draft, not nice. And so they felt like Metcalf was higher than anybody on this draft, and so they is likely to be proper about that, in order that they made this transfer.”
If Metcalf works out in Pittsburgh, he’ll be nicely well worth the second-round decide the Steelers traded for him. This yr’s draft class wasn’t particularly spectacular at large receiver. Metcalf has additionally already confirmed his NFL value for years now. Though they traded for Metcalf earlier than signing Aaron Rodgers, it makes extra sense to have him than a receiver who would wish to develop with Rodgers solely being in Pittsburgh for a yr.
The writing at all times gave the impression to be on the wall for George Pickens in Pittsburgh. As he heads right into a contract yr in Dallas, he’ll hope to show his popularity round earlier than hitting free company. For the Steelers, they hope their transfer for Metcalf pays off in the long term.
