Aaron Rodgers Reportedly Not Alerted by Steelers About George Pickens Trade to Cowboys

The Pittsburgh Steelers didn't reveal the team's plans to trade wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys in discussions with free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

"My understanding, Rich, is that there was no heads up given," Pelissero said during a Friday appearance on the Rich Eisen Show (4:10 mark). "This wasn't them consulting with Aaron Rodgers on the trade. Aaron Rodgers technically is not on the team right now. There's this very unusual situation where you think the guy probably is coming, but he's not actually part of the team. No, they did not give him a heads up on it."

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Rodgers and the Steelers have remained in contact and the team is "hopeful" that he will sign a contract.

On Wednesday, Pittsburgh dealt Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round draft pick to the Cowboys in exchange for a 2026 third-round selection and a 2027 fifth-round pick.

That left DK Metcalf as the Steelers' unquestioned No. 1 receiver entering training camp after the team acquired him in a swap with the Seattle Seahawks earlier in the offseason.

Rodgers and Metcalf were spotted working out together following the wideout's change of scenery.

"I think that it's notable that when Aaron Rodgers began seriously considering going to the Steelers, he made a point to go and throw with DK Metcalf and not with George Pickens," Pelissero said Friday (4:40 mark).

He explained that it wasn't the reason Pittsburgh decided to move Pickens, but a potential offensive fit between Rodgers and the former second-round pick wasn't clear.

"I'm not saying that's why the Steelers made the trade but if you're profiling the type of wide receiver that Aaron Rodgers would want, George Pickens, as talented as he is, may not be the best mesh if and when Aaron Rodgers becomes the Steelers' quarterback," Pelissero said.

With Pickens now in Dallas, Pittsburgh's front office will continue its pursuit of Rodgers on the free-agent market.