Pickens says he didn’t force his way out of Pittsburgh.
George Pickens’ time on the Steelers’ roster wasn’t exactly drama-free, but the new Cowboys wide receiver told beat writers Tuesday that he never requested a trade.
Pittsburgh dealt Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick to Dallas on Wednesday for a 2026 third-rounder and a 2027 fifth-rounder.
I asked #Cowboys WR George Pickens if he ever requested a trade from Pittsburgh. He said he didn’t.
“Super proud and glad to be here.”
He reiterated often that he’s excited to be in Dallas and to “help build a winning culture.”
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) May 8, 2025
While Pickens says he never asked for a trade, there were still signs of dissatisfaction during his time in Pittsburgh.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported earlier this month that Pickens had “flirted” with a trade request, but ultimately wanted to stay a Steeler. However, Pickens’ time with the team had been marred with in-game outbursts, reportedly showing up late to a game, and antics such as unfollowing the team on social media.
It’s unclear how much of the trade had to do with Pickens as a locker room fit versus as a financial decision, as Pickens is entering the last year of his rookie deal. In the rumors swirling ahead of the trade, insiders had pointed to both, saying that the Steelers didn’t want to pay two wide receivers after adding D.K. Metcalf, and that there were “behind the scenes” issues between the team and the player.
Pickens, now on the Cowboys, focused on the future over the past in his introductory press conference. “I just … continue to grow,” he said via DLLS Cowboys’ Joseph Hoyt. “I feel like everyone in the world has to grow. … I’m just trying to build a winning culture, which they already have at the Cowboys. I’m just glad to be joining it.”