Aaron Rodgers to Pittsburgh Steelers? George Pickens' trade could be the dealbreaker

The George Pickens trade might have killed Pittsburgh Steelers' chances of signing star free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers

Updated on: May 7, 2025, 18:17:03 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The Pittsburgh Steelers might have killed their chances of signing star free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers after deciding to trade George Pickens. The four-time NFL MVP was reportedly poised to move to Heinz Field, but now he might have only one top-tier wide receiver to throw to - DK Metcalf.

Aaron Rodgers was reportedly in talks with Pittsburgh Steelers (AP)

This comes as the Steelers are reportedly trading George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys for undisclosed draft picks. The 24-year-old has been a standout performer since making his NFL debut, racking up at least 800 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons. He had 900 yards on 59 receptions under his belt in 2024. However, his off-field issues, reported punctuality problems, and a strained relationship with head coach Mike Tomlin might have hurt his case.

Steelers' Aaron Rodgers hopes hurt?

Rodgers, who was released by the New York Jets after a dismissive tenure, is currently deciding between retirement and continuing to play at 41 years old. He and the Steelers have reportedly held talks since the Super Bowl.

With George Pickens with the Steelers, Rodgers would have had an elite combination of two star WRs at his disposal (the other one being DK Metcalf). But a Pickens-less Steelers look a lot less attractive.

Pittsburgh also have Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson, Robert Woods, Ben Skowronek, and Scotty Miller in their WR depth chart. However, none of those players are adequate No. 2 options.

The Steelers might look at free-agent options with Keenan Allen and Amari Cooper in the pool. But both are coming off poor seasons.

Meanwhile, the addition of Pickens, is expected to boost the Dallas Cowboys' offense. He will be making a formidable duo with CeeDee Lamb. Dak Prescott could have a fun day passing to two elite WRs.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

Catch all the latest Sports News, scores, and highlights in one place. Stay updated with real-time coverage of your favorite games and athletes along with Lionel Messi latest updates.