Mike Tomlin says the Steelers’ decision to move on from George Pickens wasn’t just about the receiver’s talent. It was about everything that comes with the next contract.
Speaking on “The Rich Eisen Show”, Tomlin made clear that Pittsburgh didn’t trade Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys because the team doubted what he could do on the field. The issue, in Tomlin’s view, was whether the full package fit what the Steelers wanted for the future.
“If they're developing in the right ways, if they fit your long-range plans, then you do second business with them. It didn't happen for us with George, but it doesn't necessarily mean he's not going to be a spectacular player,” Tomlin said.
Tomlin also pointed to the broader responsibilities that come with becoming a high-dollar, second-contract player, saying that side of the job did not sit naturally with Pickens. That, in part, is why the Steelers were comfortable making the move after adding DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks and then locking him up with a four-year, $132 million extension.
“For us, I just thought it's not only play. It's development in other areas, intangible areas.
I think when you're a high-dollar, second-contract guy, I think there's some leadership responsibilities, and things of that nature. And I just don't feel like that was in his natural wheelhouse.
We felt better about DK's abilities in those areas.”
Tomlin’s comments line up with the concerns that had followed Pickens during his time in Pittsburgh. The 25-year-old was fined multiple times over his three seasons with the team, and the 2024 season included a pair of ugly moments: he grabbed Dallas Cowboys defensive back Jourdan Lewis by the face mask after the final play of a Week 5 game, then got into a fight with Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II after a Hail Mary fell incomplete on the final play of the Steelers’ Week 13 matchup.
Those were only part of the picture. In the end, the Steelers decided Pickens needed a change of scenery.
Metcalf stepped into the No. 1 role in 2025, but Pickens delivered the bigger production. He finished with 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns, while Metcalf posted 850 yards and six scores.
Even so, Tomlin’s point was that the story is bigger than a clean talent comparison. Pittsburgh may have given up a receiver who can put up big numbers, but the organization also weighed the possibility that the fit was never going to be right for the long haul. There’s hindsight in any debate like this, and Tomlin’s comments made that part hard to miss.
In Other News...
Steelers Cut Just Drew Immediate Interest From Another Team
D'Shawn Jamison did not stay on the market long after the Steelers moved on from him during final roster cuts. The cornerback, who has also spent time with the Panthers and 49ers, drew a workout from the Arizona Cardinals and quickly landed a practice-squad spot as teams continue sorting out depth in the secondary.
Arizonas interest makes sense with Will Johnson sidelined by a lower-body injury and five cornerbacks already on the active roster. For Pittsburgh, Jamisons quick landing is another reminder of how fluid the back end of the roster can be once cutdown day passes and teams start looking for experienced cover help. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Quietly Added An Intriguing Edge Rusher To Watch
The Steelers quietly added three players to the practice squad, and one of the more interesting names is Bradyn Swinson, a young edge rusher with some real developmental appeal. Pittsburgh also brought in defensive back Car'Lin Vigers and wide receiver Brandon Johnson, but Swinson stands out because of where he was drafted and the kind of role the Steelers believe he can grow into.
A 2025 fifth-round pick by the Patriots, Swinson spent most of his rookie year on New Englands practice squad and got into three games. For a Steelers team that has long valued pass-rush depth and coaching up athletic defenders, he is the kind of low-risk addition worth monitoring as the season moves along. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Fans Are Still Debating McCarthys Strangest Preseason Choices
Mike McCarthys preseason handling of the Steelers kept plenty of people talking long after the exhibition games ended. Resting receiver Roman Wilson in the finale, leaning heavily on linebacker Jack Sawyer, limiting rookie running back Eli Heidenreichs carries and not starting quarterback Drew Allar all became part of the conversation, especially because each move seemed to point in a different direction as the team tried to sort out roles and get through August.
For fans and analysts, the issue is less about any one decision than the way they fit together heading into the regular season. Some see a coach protecting players and managing workloads, while others wonder whether those choices left too many evaluation questions unanswered at positions where Pittsburgh could use clarity, and that uncertainty is still hanging over the roster as the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]