George Pickens gave Steelers fans something to stare at on social media, even if it may not mean much in the long run.
The wide receiver posted a video on his Instagram story showing himself warming up in the rain before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium, a clip from his days in Pittsburgh that immediately caught attention online.
Pickens is now set to play on the franchise tag for the Dallas Cowboys after Pittsburgh traded him there last offseason. He turned in a big year in 2025, finishing with 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns on 93 receptions.
If he and Dallas can’t work out a long-term deal this summer or early next offseason, Pickens would be headed toward unrestricted free agency in March 2027. And if the Cowboys decide to keep dragging their feet, another franchise tag next offseason remains in play as well.
A Steelers reunion through trade is not on the table anytime soon. Because of NFL rules, Pittsburgh cannot trade for Pickens again until two full seasons have passed since the original deal, which keeps him off the board as a trade target before or during the 2026 season.
Still, the post was enough to spark speculation, even if the simplest explanation is probably the right one: Pickens was just having some fun. The likeliest read is that the video was nothing more than a throwback.
That said, the idea of a return to Pittsburgh would not be impossible if circumstances lined up the right way. Pickens spent his first three seasons with the Steelers and produced 2,841 yards and 12 touchdowns in 48 games, making him one of the most gifted receivers the team has had in recent memory.
His time in Pittsburgh was not always smooth, and the trade last offseason made sense for both sides. In Dallas, he settled in alongside Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb and looked like he had found a real home.
Contract talks, though, have gone nowhere, and the Cowboys do not appear eager to move him. That leaves free agency or another franchise tag as realistic outcomes next offseason if Dallas still isn’t willing to pay him like a long-term centerpiece.
For now, the Steelers have a receiver room that looks as strong as it has in years. DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr. and Germie Bernard form the core, while Roman Wilson has a chance to break out under new head coach Mike McCarthy.
Every one of those receivers is under contract for next season, too. Metcalf carries a cap hit of $32.5 million, and Pittman Jr. sits at $26.06 million. If that group performs and Bernard, and maybe Wilson, keep trending up, Pittsburgh may have little reason to shake things up.
But if the offense stalls in what is shaping up to be Aaron Rodgers’ final season, and the Steelers begin reshaping the roster around a possible rookie quarterback, Pickens could theoretically come back into the picture through free agency or another route.
For now, though, the video looks like a tease more than a signal. Still, it was enough to make the reunion conversation worth having.
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