The Dallas Cowboys had their sights set on snagging a No. 2 wide receiver for Dak Prescott in the 2025 NFL Draft. Arizona's standout, Tetairoa McMillan, was their target at No. 12 overall, but the Carolina Panthers swooped in and grabbed him four picks earlier.
Left without a new wideout, Dallas faced questions about how they'd bolster their receiving corps. Just over a month later, they delivered a resounding answer by acquiring George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pickens was nothing short of phenomenal last season, ranking sixth in the league with 93 catches, third with 1,429 receiving yards, and eighth with nine touchdowns. The post-trade predictions held true: Pickens meshed perfectly with Prescott and complemented CeeDee Lamb seamlessly.
Despite a historically rough defensive season that kept the Cowboys out of the playoffs, their offensive potential is undeniable. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is contemplating a bold move for Tyreek Hill, whose future is uncertain as he recovers from a severe knee injury.
"The Steelers could be in play. They've got DK Metcalf, and what, Calvin Austin III? No offense, he's not Tyreek Hill," noted Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
The Steelers are on the hunt for a wide receiver after trading away Pickens to Dallas. Hill, now a free agent after his release from the Miami Dolphins, is an intriguing option, though it might reflect Pittsburgh's ongoing struggle to maintain relevance.
This is evident in their decision to hire Mike McCarthy to replace Mike Tomlin, opting for experience over a younger head coach. Adding to the mix is a 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers, set to be their starting quarterback next season, provided he doesn’t retire. Last season, Rodgers ranked 28th in success rate and 22nd in EPA per play.
Pittsburgh's plan to replace Pickens by trading for and extending D.K. Metcalf hasn't panned out as hoped. Metcalf's 56 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns fall short of expectations, especially for the league's fourth-highest-paid receiver at $32.9 million annually.
While Metcalf can be a top-15 receiver on his best days, Pickens was arguably deserving of a First-Team All-Pro selection last season. He's clearly a top-10 talent, with potential to break into the top five if he continues his upward trajectory in 2026.
A Metcalf-Hill duo could be formidable, but Hill's post-surgery performance remains uncertain. Plus, Rodgers, known for his quick releases, may not fully utilize Hill's deep-threat capabilities.
Pickens' arrival has propelled Dallas into the conversation as one of the league's most dangerous offenses. They’re in win-now mode, with moves like acquiring Quinnen Williams and hiring Christian Parker as defensive coordinator underscoring their commitment to sustained success.
For Pittsburgh, signing Hill might indicate contentment with hovering around 8-10 wins, hoping to sneak into the playoffs.