The Steelers are trading Pickens and a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Cowboys in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder, Tommy Yarrish of the Cowboys' official site reports.
The Cowboys confirmed earlier reports of a trade, giving the team a huge upgrade at the No. 2 WR spot alongside superstar CeeDee Lamb. Fellow Dallas wideouts Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin drop down the depth chart, while Pittsburgh is left with Calvin Austin, Robert Woods and Roman Wilson as potential starters alongside March trade acquisition DK Metcalf. The trade is excellent news for Pickens' fantasy value, pairing him with QB Dak Prescott under new Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer in an offense that likely will throw the ball more often than the Steelers will. The 24-year-old Pickens topped 800 yards in each of his first three campaigns, including a career-high 1,140 in 2023, but he's never gone higher than 106 targets, 63 catches or five touchdowns in a single regular season.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Deal to Cowboys being finalized
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The Steelers are finalizing a trade to send Pickens to the Cowboys, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Per Schefter, the deal -- which is expected to be completed Wednesday -- would result in the Cowboys sending a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round choice to the Steelers in exchange for Pickens and a 2026 sixth-round pick. With Dallas, the 24-year-old Pickens, who is coming off a 2024 regular season in which he recorded 59 catches (on 103 targets) for 900 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games, would provide QB Dak Prescott with another quality wideout target to work alongside CeeDee Lamb, who caught 101 passes in 15 contests last season.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Target of trade interest
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The Steelers have received calls inquiring about trading for Pickens leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.
Pickens is entering the final year of his rookie deal with Pittsburgh, and the team spent a second-round pick to acquire fellow big-play-specialist DK Metcalf earlier this offseason. The Steelers then signed Metcalf to a five-year, $150 million contract, a move that has resulted in questions about Pickens' long-term future with the team. While Pittsburgh reportedly isn't directly shopping the 24-year-old, he figures to have a strong market for teams in need of a No. 1 or talented No. 2 option at wideout, especially if there remains belief around the league that his production upside remains untapped. Quarterback play has doubtless limited Pickens across his first three seasons in the league, and the Steelers' starter under center for 2025 still remains undetermined.
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Steelers' George Pickens: May consider hold-in this summer
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Pickens is entering a contract year and may "hold in" if he doesn't have an extension before the summer, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Pickens will turn 24 in March, having topped 800 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons. He hasn't quite reached an elite level at his position, but his ability to make difficult, contested catches downfield is second to none, and there's no doubt his production has been negatively impacted by poor quarterback play in Pittsburgh. It's unclear if the QB situation will improve in 2025, potentially adding an extra element of contention to contract negotiations, which may already be difficult in light of Pickens' reputation for mercurial behavior and the gap between his production and his perceived talent/skill. The current CBA essentially eliminates the ability for players to hold out, but if Pickens is unhappy this summer he could opt to show up to the team facilities but not participate in practice.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Bright spot in playoff loss
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Pickens recorded five receptions on five targets for 87 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 28-14 loss to the Ravens.
Pickens was coming off a poor close to the regular season, though he keyed the slight offensive resurgence the Steelers showed in the second half of their playoff loss. That began with an impressive 36-yard touchdown catch, during which Pickens spun to split two defenders along the sideline. He also chipped in an acrobatic 26-yard leaping reception on an underthrown ball from Russell Wilson midway through the fourth quarter. Pickens will be entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025, making him a potential extension candidate this offseason. Regardless of whether a deal gets done, he should be set to lead the Pittsburgh receiving corps once again next season.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Disastrous Week 18 showing
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Pickens recorded one catch on six targets for zero yards in Saturday's 19-17 loss to the Bengals.
Pickens was uninvolved for much of the first half as Russell Wilson took to the air only eight times. However, even with more extensive looks in the final two quarters, Pickens failed to deliver. He had three drops and was also not on the same page with Wilson late in the fourth quarter when he was streaking down the right sideline after beating his defender to set up a potential game-winning field goal or touchdown. Pickens will remain a focal point of the Pittsburgh offense in the postseason, but both he and the entire unit had a lackluster effort in Saturday's loss.
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Steelers' George Pickens: WRs to Start
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Pickens had a down game against Kansas City in Week 17 following a three-game absence with a hamstring injury with three catches for 50 yards on seven targets. Prior to getting hurt, Pickens did well in the first game against Cincinnati in Week 13 with three catches for 74 yards and a touchdown on six targets. Pickens has now played seven games with Russell Wilson, and Pickens has scored at least 16.4 PPR points in four of them. The Bengals have allowed four receivers to score at least 16.4 PPR points in their past four games, and Pickens is worth using as a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Three grabs in return
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Pickens (hamstring) caught three of seven targets for 50 yards in Wednesday's 29-10 loss to Kansas City.
Russell Wilson was under constant pressure and didn't have much time to wait for deep routes to develop, but he hit Pickens for a 41-yard gain late in the first quarter. The third-year wideout had missed the prior three games with a hamstring strain, but he appeared fully healthy Wednesday. Pickens needs exactly 100 yards to reach 1,000 on the season, a mark he'll take aim at in Week 18 against the Bengals.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Deemed FP in walkthrough Monday
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Pickens (hamstring) was estimated as a full participant in a walkthrough practice Monday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Pickens stated earlier Monday that he hasn't yet been cleared to return to action Wednesday against Kansas City, but his full participation in practice Monday suggests that he's certainly leaning toward that outcome. The star wideout has missed each of Pittsburgh's past three games while dealing with a hamstring issue. If he's able to return Christmas Day, it would be a big boost to the Steelers' passing game and could result in less looks for Calvin Austin.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Hasn't yet been cleared
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Pickens (hamstring) said Monday, "I feel good," but that he hasn't yet been cleared to play Wednesday versus Kansas City, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Pickens has missed three consecutive games due to a lingering hamstring injury, but he resumed handling individual drills Monday, per Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com. The standout wide receiver was listed as limited on Sunday's estimated practice report, in which coach Mike Tomlin said he has a "real chance" to return Week 17. Tuesday's final practice report figures to be pivotal in determining Pickens' status for Week 17.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Limited on practice estimate
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Pickens (hamstring) was listed as limited on Sunday's practice estimate, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
The Steelers faced the Ravens on Saturday, so while the team didn't actually practice Sunday, Pickens' limited listing is notable nonetheless, considering he didn't practice leading up to Week 16 action. The wideout has missed the Steelers' last three games, but head coach Mike Tomlin noted earlier Sunday that Pickens is among the team's injured players who has a "real chance" to play against the Chiefs on Wednesday.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Has a chance to play Wednesday
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Head coach Mike Tomlin said Sunday that Pickens (hamstring) has a "real chance" to play against the Chiefs on Wednesday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN reports.
Pickens, who sustained a hamstring injury prior to Week 14 action, has missed the Steelers' last three games, but it looks like he could be trending in the right direction as Wednesday's contest approaches. In any case, added context regarding the wideout's Week 17 status is slated to arrive via the team's upcoming injury reports. Pickens was deemed a non-participant in all three practices leading up to Saturday's loss to the Ravens.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Listed as non-participant again
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Pickens (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant in practice Wednesday, Dale Lolley of the Steelers' official site reports.
For the second consecutive day, Pickens took part in position drills on the side of practice but went down as a non-participant on the official injury report. Pittsburgh's No. 1 wide receiver seems to be tracking toward a third consecutive absence Saturday against the Ravens, but the team's final injury report of the week will be released Thursday and will provide clarity on his chances of suiting up.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Takes part in position drills
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Pickens (hamstring) was spotted taking part in some position drills in the media-access portion of Wednesday's practice, Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Pickens was also spotted Tuesday doing individual drills, but the Steelers then listed him as a non-participant in their walk-through practice. It's unclear at this point if he has a real shot to play Saturday against the Ravens, after missing the previous two games with a Grade 2 hamstring strain.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Sits out walk-through practice
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Pickens (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant for Tuesday's walk-through practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
According to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, Pickens was spotted taking part in individual drills off to the side during the portion of the walkthrough that was open to the media, while Alan Sauders of SteelersNow.com adds that Pickens also took part in a ball-security drill with teammates. The wideout will likely need to mix into more on-field drills as the week progresses in order for the Steelers to feel confident in his availability for Saturday's game in Baltimore.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Won't play Sunday
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Pickens (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Pickens, who was inactive for this past Sunday's 27-14 win over the Browns, thus will target a potential return to the lineup a week from Saturday, when the Steelers face the Ravens. In Pickens' continued absence, look for fellow wide receivers Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, Mike Williams and Scotty Miller to see added Week 15 opportunities.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Still not practicing
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Pickens (hamstring) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports.
Per Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com, head coach Mike Tomlin indicated Tuesday that there's an "outside chance" Pickens can play Sunday against the Eagles. The wideout has one more chance to practice in advance of the contest, but it's plausible that Pickens could be ruled out as soon as Friday. If Pickens remains sidelined versus Philadelphia, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, Mike Williams and Scotty Miller would be in line to lead Pittsburgh's Week 15 WR corps.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Looks unlikely for Week 15
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Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday that Pickens (hamstring) is unlikely to be available for Sunday's game in Philadelphia, Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports. "If you pressed me, I'd probably say he's out or could be categorized as 'doubtful,'" Tomlin said of Pickens' status.
Though Pickens was listed as questionable leading up to this past Sunday's game against the Browns, reports heading into the day suggested that the wideout was likely to play. However, a pregame workout apparently didn't go as well as anticipated, and the wideout ended up sitting out a 27-14 victory. The Steelers aren't yet ruling Pickens out for Week 15, but it looks as though he'll face an uphill battle to recover from a Grade 2 hamstring strain in time. Assuming he remains out for a second straight game, Mike Williams and Scotty Miller could benefit from expanded roles.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Expected to miss Week 15
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Pickens (hamstring) is not expected to be available for Sunday's road matchup against the Eagles, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Pickens appears in line to miss a second consecutive contest due to what league sources informed Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com of on Monday is a Grade 2 hamstring strain. The Steelers haven't yet officially disclosed the severity of Pickens' injury or his presumed status for Week 15, but it wouldn't be surprising to see the team take a cautious approach with its No. 1 wideout's recovery. Pittsburgh's divisional road matchup against Baltimore in Week 16 could, tentatively, be a better target date for Pickens to retake the field. Tight end Pat Freiermuth and wide receivers Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, Mike Williams, Ben Skowronek and Scotty Miller all will benefit from increased target opportunities as long as Pickens is unable to go.
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Steelers' George Pickens: Managing Grade 2 hamstring strain
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Pickens (hamstring), who was inactive for Sunday's 27-14 win over the Browns, is believed to be nursing a Grade 2 strain, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Pickens popped up on Pittsburgh's injury report late during Week 14 prep after he was limited in Friday's practice. The final decision to hold him out versus Cleveland reportedly wasn't made until late Sunday morning, an indication that the Steelers had some hope the standout wide receiver could play through his hamstring issue. A Grade 2 strain, though, could tentatively also impede Pickens' availability Week 15 on the road against Philadelphia, if not for a longer stretch. As long as Pickens can't go, Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin, Mike Williams, Ben Skowronek and Scotty Miller, as well as tight end Pat Freiermuth, will be called upon to handle expanded opportunities in the receiving game.
