NFL Insider: Steelers Gain Leverage on George Pickens Contract After DK Metcalf Trade

The Pittsburgh Steelers' acquisition of star receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday reportedly could have significant ramifications for fellow wideout George Pickens.

The Athletic's Mike DeFabo reported that "by trading for Metcalf, the Steelers have gained leverage regarding the future of Pickens, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal."

Pickens has shown signs of dominance throughout his first three years in the NFL, but he's yet to reach his full potential. In 2024, he appeared in 14 games and produced 59 catches for 900 yards and three touchdowns. However, DeFabo explained that his volatile nature could work against him now that the Steelers have a "proven alternative" in Metcalf, who was signed to a five-year contract extension upon his acquisition.

"Pickens has engaged in more on- and off-field antics than one can list in a single story," DeFabo stated. "After defending the receiver repeatedly, coach Mike Tomlin finally acknowledged publicly that Pickens needed to 'grow up' after he was flagged twice during a Week 13 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. In the next game in which he was active, Pickens responded by showing up late to the Christmas Day matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs."

Despite his attitude issues, the Steelers publicly expressed interest in keeping Pickens in the fold beyond the 2025 campaign.

"I had a really solid exit meeting with GP," Steelers general manager Omar Khan said at the NFL Scouting Combine last month. “I can tell you that he has a desire to be great. He has a desire to be great here. We have a desire for him to be great — and to be great here."