Pickens appears to be a poor risk

[shabazz]

I’m not too concerned at RB, but defense has issues. Fixing the defense is much harder than adding to the offense. Pickens was easier to get than an impact DT would be to get. So you offset the weakness on D by increasing the offende. Control the ball, score in the redzone and you take away a teams ability to just run on you all day. To me with what was availible that was the best option

Agree with alot of this but what still gets me is that this FO could have easily gotten Derrick Henry for probably 7 Mil a year and that would have taken away the need to get Sanders, Williams, Mafah and even Blue.

We have plenty of running backs but no PROVEN running backs and GMs all saw great value in getting RBs cheap in 2024 free agency.....but not our GM

 

[shabazz]

Fair, but then that need pops up again after one season. If he had two years left or a fifth year option it would make more sense….or if the team was ready to win now, but this is probably about Jerry not wanting a second bad season in a row, not building a championship contender. Then his excuse on free agency is “having more of a longer term plan.”

All over the map with everything and it seems to change often. Contradiction and hypocrisy are organizational philosophies.

I suppose they could tag him but I don’t think good ole Georgie is gonna be all too amicable in that regard. Wants that bag. Wants them targets. Be aware Prescott !! Best to check out of that running play and feed the barking dog, who I’m sure will have a direct line to the celebrity owner.

I absolutely agree that he's not coming cheap. He'll most likely want north of 25 million a year.....and Jerry will most likely cave in to it

 

[Kwyn]

A late round comp pick won’t make up for losing that 3rd.

If he ends up signing a WR1 contract, the comp pick will be a 3rd

If he signs a WR2 contract, the comp pick will be a 4th

If he fails and ends up leaving for a lesser contract it couldn’t a 5th or so.

He would have to put in the worst year of his career for this to turn into a 6th or 7th round pick.

 

[Kwyn]

Couldn't agree more. Listening to Matt Williamson on his podcast who works on/off for the Steelers he didn't doubt is ability but said no one in the Steelers organisation wanted to hang around with him.

And another Steelers beat writer said that he was popular with the players and liked in the locker room.

 

[fivetwos]

I absolutely agree that he's not coming cheap. He'll most likely want north of 25 million a year.....and Jerry will most likely cave in to it

He is worth that….on the field. Whatever ends up happening off it is impossible to know, but if we are being honest the circumstances are absolutely there for things to get ugly. They say they want to run the ball, and you’ve gotta get it to CD often enough.

Yeah he is a helluva threat opposite Lamb but if he doesn’t get his numbers…I dunno.

Not sure if I see him respecting rookie Shoddy if he couldn’t find the same for Tomlin.

 

[conner01]

Agree with alot of this but what still gets me is that this FO could have easily gotten Derrick Henry for probably 7 Mil a year and that would have taken away the need to get Sanders, Williams, Mafah and even Blue.

We have plenty of running backs but no PROVEN running backs and GMs all saw great value in getting RBs cheap in 2024 free agency.....but not our GM

I think the issue is no long term plan. Jerry just winging it from decision to decision. That’s why we wait to sign guys, let guys play out an walk. Every decision affects another so you have to have an overal plan. By year 3 if you don’t plan to extend a guy you trade him. But that requires being in a position to do thst

 

[Kwyn]

so he plays lights out. we fizzle out of playoffs as usual (at best). and we just traded a mid 3rd round pick for a 4th round pick...and you are happy!?

that's who jerry is selling to. folks like you.

So, a positive outcome is impossible in your mind.

No surprise.

Some of you would complain if we traded a 5th for Pat Mahomes

 

[Kwyn]

I think the issue is no long term plan. Jerry just winging it from decision to decision. That’s why we wait to sign guys, let guys play out an walk. Every decision affects another so you have to have an overal plan. By year 3 if you don’t plan to extend a guy you trade him. But that requires being in a position to do thst

How do you figure?

The entire world knew we needed a WR 2

Jerry said there were some trade talks aimed at the draft and beyond

Initiated trade talks with the Steelers for the most talented WR on the trade market

We targeted Tmac in the first round but he was gone at 8

Continued trade negotiations and made the biggest trade in years

That’s the definition of a plan.

 

[Kwyn]

You’re right, had Pickens’ contract afforded Dallas another couple years then it would be a good calculated gamble giving up that 3 rd. But having to extend him next season if Dallas wants to keep him is not good at all. The Steelers sure as heck did not want that head case around.

Dallas not only has to pay MP, but next season has some OL they will have to deal with . Surprise, Surprise, Surprise… Jerry got taken to the cleaners yet again. This team was not a player away from the SB.

I suppose the team should not do anything.

 

[mattyice]

Not only are we giving up a 3rd and a 5th next year but we basically are signing him for only one season. On a team that isn’t one player away.

His rookie deal runs out and why Steelers traded him as he seems unwilling to negotiate. On top of that he’s a head case. His emotions are difficult to keep in check.

He was fined for using an expletive on his eye black against the Cowboys. He also drew wide spread criticism in 2023 for what could generously be described as the attentive downfield blocking for his teammates.

Considering his volatility, the Steelers didn’t seem interested in signing Pickens to a contract extension running out of patience for the talented but mercurial former 2nd round pick. A 3rd and 5th looks like they found an anxious taker.

I don't completely disagree. But the whole "we're not one player away," has always been a specious argument. How many players away were the Commanders last year? Definitely more than one. They hit on a QB which is a big piece of it, but the NFL is a year-to year league. No one truly knows how far away anyone is. Doesn't mean Dallas is SB bound, but you have to account for the possibility. that they will be much better. Also, we can't say go "all in" and then get upset when they try to. There has to be some consistency.

 

[GMO415]

Not only are we giving up a 3rd and a 5th next year but we basically are signing him for only one season. On a team that isn’t one player away.

His rookie deal runs out and why Steelers traded him as he seems unwilling to negotiate. On top of that he’s a head case. His emotions are difficult to keep in check.

He was fined for using an expletive on his eye black against the Cowboys. He also drew wide spread criticism in 2023 for what could generously be described as the attentive downfield blocking for his teammates.

Considering his volatility, the Steelers didn’t seem interested in signing Pickens to a contract extension running out of patience for the talented but mercurial former 2nd round pick. A 3rd and 5th looks like they found an anxious taker.

So was TO, how did that work out?

 

[conner01]

How do you figure?

The entire world knew we needed a WR 2

Jerry said there were some trade talks aimed at the draft and beyond

Initiated trade talks with the Steelers for the most talented WR on the trade market

We targeted Tmac in the first round but he was gone at 8

Continued trade negotiations and made the biggest trade in years

That’s the definition of a plan.

It’s not one deal. It’s waiting till last minute to sign guys. It’s letting a guy like Lewis walk when you could have made him a reasonable offer the season before. It’s letting guys who have trade value play out and walk when you could have traded them the year before and got a pick a year sooner. It’s crazy the Micah deal isn’t done and they should be deciding on bland now

 

[conner01]

I suppose the team should not do anything.

We can keep him 2 years without a huge cost. You can also tag and trade him if he plays well. If you want him past that it’s more expensive, if he plays well.

 

[FanofJerry]

But I don’t think this guy was saying that. He was saying from Day 1 he wasn’t going to be nice and treated them as lesser beings. Sorry but if you get paid, be nice and play the game. Add it to his other antics and he seems immature.

Fair

 

[Typhus]

 

[darthseinfeld]

Voch Lombardi & Broadus were gushing over him saying he was a # 1 type WR . I would not have traded for him if I couldn’t get an extension on the rookie deal otherwise next season you’re looking at WR again minus your third rounder . I think the other pick they gave up is the 27 draft , hopefully .

Keep in mind Tolber is a FA after the season too

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Agree with alot of this but what still gets me is that this FO could have easily gotten Derrick Henry for probably 7 Mil a year and that would have taken away the need to get Sanders, Williams, Mafah and even Blue.

We have plenty of running backs but no PROVEN running backs and GMs all saw great value in getting RBs cheap in 2024 free agency.....but not our GM

Well...we like our guys.

We are shocked when we go after even average other teams' players.

 

[Chasing6]

Not only are we giving up a 3rd and a 5th next year but we basically are signing him for only one season. On a team that isn’t one player away.

His rookie deal runs out and why Steelers traded him as he seems unwilling to negotiate. On top of that he’s a head case. His emotions are difficult to keep in check.

He was fined for using an expletive on his eye black against the Cowboys. He also drew wide spread criticism in 2023 for what could generously be described as the attentive downfield blocking for his teammates.

Considering his volatility, the Steelers didn’t seem interested in signing Pickens to a contract extension running out of patience for the talented but mercurial former 2nd round pick. A 3rd and 5th looks like they found an anxious taker.

https://www.si.com/nfl/teams-laughed-idea-trading-george-pickens-during-2025-draft-cowboys-steelers

Not much if any teams interested in trading for Pickens during the draft.