Winners and Losers After Steelers Trade WR George Pickens to Cowboys

The writing appeared to be on the wall for wide receiver George Pickens once the Pittsburgh Steelers traded for DK Metcalf earlier this offseason. Rumors of a potential trade had been floating for weeks if not months.

On Wednesday, those ruminations turned into reality. The Steelers traded Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

During a predraft interview, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said his team was working on "pretty substantial trades." Nothing materialized during the draft, but the Cowboys finally landed a legitimate running mate for CeeDee Lamb one week later.

Meanwhile, the Steelers continue to wait and see what happens with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. They now have only one legitimate threat at wide receiver on their roster for Rodgers or whomever starts for them under center this season.

Winner: WR George Pickens

AP Photo/Matt Durisko

This conversation must start with Pickens himself, because he should benefit from the move both financially and from an on-field perspective.

Pickens' looming free agency was the driving force that led to this deal. The 2022 second-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the Steelers saw an opportunity to move on instead of handing him a massive extension.

The 24-year-old had issues with his maturity and consistency throughout his tenure in Pittsburgh, which is likely why the Steelers refrained from handing him a new deal. The Cowboys may not be as reticent.

According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, a new contract hasn't been negotiated as part of the trade. However, Dallas knows he's signed only through the 2025 season and wants an extension. One could materialize later this summer or in the fall, or the Cowboys could franchise-tag him next offseason, as Breer suggested.

If the Cowboys do wait to see how Pickens fits with them before shelling out a new deal, they should expect an excellent season. He posted over 2,000 combined receiving yards over the last two years despite catching passes from the likes of Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, Mitch Trubisky, Justin Fields and Russell Wilson.

A healthy Dak Prescott is a massive upgrade for Pickens over that group.

Loser: Pittsburgh Steelers Offense

AP

Two former Pittsburgh Steelers in running back Najee Harris (left) and quarterback Russell Wilson (right)

The Steelers have been treading water this offseason, at least on offense.

DK Metcalf is an upgrade over Pickens. However, it's hard to see where Pittsburgh's offense is going to be significantly better after it finished 23rd in total yards last year.

Even if Aaron Rodgers eventually signs with them, he's no longer a franchise quarterback at this point of his career. He's a 41-year-old with a diminishing skill set. The Steelers also decided not to spend a high draft pick on a potential heir apparent at quarterback this year.

Former starting left tackle Dan Moore Jr. signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency. The Steelers now expect Broderick Jones to make the transition back to the blind side after a disappointing sophomore campaign.

Pittsburgh spent a third-round pick on Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson, who's a talented and powerful runner coming out of a pro-style system. Najee Harris wasn't the most explosive ball-carrier, but he still managed 1,000-plus rushing yards in four straight seasons before signing with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency.

Even if Metcalf and Johnson are upgrades over Pickens and Harris, respectively, they aren't likely to make the Steelers' offense significantly better. Pickens is a dynamic downfield target who could have formed an excellent duo with Metcalf. Instead, the Steelers are back to having only one major target at wide receiver.

Winner: Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb

AP Photo/Matt Patterson

Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has been a workhorse over the last two seasons. His 333 combined targets during that span were the most in the NFL.

Lamb has made four straight Pro Bowls and was named to the All-Pro first or second team in each of the past three years. He should be in the conversation as one of the league's three best wide receivers alongside Ja'Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals and Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings.

However, the Cowboys' options at wide receiver haven't been up to par beyond Lamb. Brandin Cooks was their WR2 in 2023 with 54 receptions for 657 yards and eight touchdowns. Last season, Jalen Tolbert took over the role and managed 49 catches for 610 yards and seven scores.

Pickens gives the Cowboys a legitimate second threat, especially since he's a bigger, more physical downfield target. They also still have Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin and Jonathan Mingo to rotate alongside Lamb and Pickens.

Dallas' offense will be more varied after this trade. The Cowboys also overhauled their running back room this offseason by adding veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders along with rookies Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah.

Lamb can be just as effective as Dallas' offensive focal point, but the Cowboys shouldn't need to rely on nearly as much. Their offense should now be far less predictable as a result.

Loser: Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson

AP Photo/Gareth Patterson

While the Pickens trade should make the Cowboys offense more potent overall, that could come at the expense of tight end Jake Ferguson.

In 2023, Ferguson finished second on the Cowboys with 71 receptions for 761 yards and five touchdowns. His production dropped last season to 59 catches for 494 yards and zero touchdowns, although Prescott's injury didn't help in that regard.

Ferguson often serves as a security blanket for Prescott. But Pickens adds a completely different dynamic and more options for the quarterback to target. Ferguson shouldn't be expected to regain his status from two years ago.

As long as the Cowboys win, the tight end should be quite happy with whatever his role ends up being this fall. However, Ferguson is set to become a free agent next offseason. Another season with dwindling production could hurt his value if he winds up hitting the market.

With the Cowboys potentially extending Pickens and still looking to do the same for all-world defender Micah Parsons, Ferguson likely won't a priority, especially after Dallas spent a second-round pick on Luke Schoonmaker two years ago.

Ferguson can remain a reliable option in the Cowboys offense, but the clock may be ticking on his remaining time in Dallas.

Winner: Steelers WRs Calvin Austin III or Roman Wilson

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III

With Pickens gone, the Steelers need to find a new WR2, whether it's someone who's already on the roster or an outside acquisition. If they go the internal route, Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson will have an opportunity to significantly increase their usage and profiles in 2025.

The Steelers have been high on Austin ever since they chose him in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft. Unfortunately, the diminutive target suffered a season-ending foot injury during his rookie campaign. Since then, he's quietly and consistently improved.

Last season, Austin finished second among Steelers wide receivers with 548 receiving yards and led the position group with four touchdowns. He's a dynamic threat when working in space and has the ability to create after the catch, but he's only 5'9" and 162 pounds.

Pittsburgh chose Wilson in the third round of last year's class. Like with Austin, injuries wrecked Wilson's rookie campaign, as he appeared in only one game. He has the potential to be a major weapon in the offense, though.

"Every WR class has a top-50 player who 'just gets open,'" B/R scout Derrik Klassen wrote in 2024. "That's Roman Wilson this year.

"... Wilson is among the best route-runners in the 2024 NFL draft class. He uses his intense speed to put defensive backs on their back foot immediately and works from there.

"... Wilson is an NFL starter. His speed and overall body control give him all of the tools necessary to run routes at all three levels and beat NFL man coverage."

With Metcalf's size and physicality, Austin's elusiveness and Wilson's route-running, the Steelers have notable upside in their current wide receiver corps. The latter two must prove that they're deserving of bigger roles, but they'll likely get the chance to do so this season.

Loser: Steelers' Long-Term QB Hopes

AP Photo/Colin Hubbard

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin

The Steelers chose to pass on a quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft until they finally selected Ohio State's Will Howard in the sixth round. As such, they will go into another season without an actual long-term plan behind center.

Next year's quarterback crop is expected to be more talented and deeper. Acquiring extra draft picks can help the Steelers better position themselves to adequately address the position for the first time since Ben Roethlisberger retired.

However, the return that Pittsburgh got for Pickens likely won't be enough to make that dream a reality.

The Steelers are going to do what they always do this fall. They're likely going to be good enough to compete and possibly make the playoffs yet again, but they won't be bad enough to position themselves for a legitimate franchise quarterback in the draft.

Another pick in the 20-to-25 range will prevent Pittsburgh from making a move to land a top-tier prospect. An extra third-round pick and a late-round pick swap in 2027 isn't enough ammunition to get the Steelers into the range they need to be, especially if they're forced to pay a quarterback premium for any trade-up.

Instead, Pittsburgh may find itself once again settling at the game's most important position and continuing to wade into the sea of mediocrity.