Pickens to Cowboys

[.Kodiak]

AB, Chase and Dionte has their best years with Ben as their QB.

I can’t understand how anyone would massage Tomlin’s nutsack at this point. The guy is a fraud and a cancer. He has destroyed the culture and that locker room.

Yes. People blow Tomlin for "managing" those guys to get the production he did. Except he didn't manage shit, he kept them happy by enabling them. Those guys all failed with other teams because the HC wouldn't tolerate their bullshit.

It's precisely that lack of discipline and commitment to excellence why Tomlin has won just 3 playoff games in 13 years, and none the last 8.

Again, you throw some talented but undisciplined assholes together you can win some games. But those guys never win anything of consequence.

[CzechSteeler]

Late rounds picks confirmation:
The Cowboys will also send a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Steelers and get back a 2027 sixth-round pick.

[steelclan]

Don't love this trade but likely there weren't a slew of better offers.

This move feels like Steelers loading up on picks to go get a Qb next year.

[Orangesteel]

2022 Draft Class:

Pickett
Pickens
Leal
Austin
Conor Heyward
Mark Robinson
Chris Odulokun

That sets a franchise back another 3-5 years.

Please draft up Tomlin extension papers IMMEDIATELY

[.Kodiak]

Don't love this trade but likely there weren't a slew of better offers.

This move feels like Steelers loading up on picks to go get a Qb next year.

Getting a mid-late R3 isn't exactly "loading up on picks".

People thinking PIT is going to get an R3 comp for Fields or Wilson are going to be disappointed. Probably a 4 and 5 for those guys, and 3 for Moore.

If they do plan to trade up, it's going to cost their 1st, 2nd and maybe more. Not excited about what kind of turd reaches they make with a bucket of mid-round picks.

[.Kodiak]

That sets a franchise back another 3-5 years.

Please draft up Tomlin extension papers IMMEDIATELY

I've said it before. Tomlin inherited the absolute best possible team any coach could hope for in any sport. Without that, he's done in this league as a coach after 5-6 years and a couple of teams.

And he's going to leave an absolute dumpster fire for the next coach. Not a single assistant worth a damn (maybe Danny). And a handful of players, at best, worth trying to build a core and culture around.

[Greeksteel]

As someone who is rooting for losses, just let me say that today's news is FANTASTIC.

Pickens is an enormous man-child, but he was the only reason this offense was even borderline watchable the past few years.

This is where im at as well. For me this is all about 2026 and accumulating as many Ls as possible in order to get us in prime position to select our next franchise QB in what is considered to be a potentially very deep QB class in 2026.

[LakecrestSteeler]

3rd rounder next year plus other pick swaps.

Shocked we couldn’t get a 2nd for him.

Again, I see this as more egg on the face of Fraudlin. Couldn’t reel in and get a talented WR in check.

This franchise is still descending. I wonder how much farther these clowns can sink us.

I think the league has wisened up to the Steelers ways in respect to trading for their cast off wide receivers

Plus, it’s abundantly clear that Pickens is an emotional cluster fuck. I’d go so far as to say there’s a 50% chance he’s out of the league before the end of his next contract.


He is so clearly unstable

Do we really know that though?

He seems that way, but I think most of us would eventually break when asked to run wind sprints all game as a distraction.

I bet he will be a major star.

[Mick]

Now that the dust has settled, this offseason we have effectively traded George Pickens, a 2nd round pick, and $150M for George Pickens (metcalf).

[swissvale72]

Hate this trade.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

"Now that the dust has settled, this offseason we have effectively traded George Pickens, a 2nd round pick, and $150M for George Pickens (metcalf)."

Exactly. So basically 150M to deal with someone who won't be quite such a diva.

Championship!

[langer]

Why did this happen now and not before the draft?

Did George do something bad? LOL.

What a trainwreck.

[K_C_]

Hate this trade.

I hate the timing of this trade but Pickens, much like DJ, Claypool and AB before him, had to go.

Once the Steelers gave DK Metcalf a huge raise after the trade, Pickens was gonna be a problem, if he showed up at all.

Had this trade been made on day 1 or day 2 of the draft a few weeks ago, I would be excited. The Steelers could have used the 3rd rounder to grab a starting level WR. This was a deep draft for quality wideouts and the Steelers honestly could have been better off even next year without Pickens.

Now they're fucked. The timing of this trade is awful and I honestly now wish they'd consider a total rebuild. Watt, Fitzpatrick, anybody not nailed down and older, trade their asses.

But they won't. Gotta try to get to 9-8 for Hall of Fame Coach Cool Shades.

[K_C_]

Why did this happen now and not before the draft?

Did George do something bad? LOL.

What a trainwreck.

He unfollowed the Steelers on Instagram and I read he wasn't going to show up for offseason workouts and camp.

I don't mind the trade but yes, they should have traded the motherfucker for a 3rd rounder THIS season.

Now we're right back where we were last year. We need a #2 WR.

[OhioSteeler]

The "reports" that I'm seeing say that the best offer they received prior to and during the draft was a 4th rounder.

[jebrick]

The "reports" that I'm seeing say that the best offer they received prior to and during the draft was a 4th rounder.

I heard the same.

[Louis Lipps Service]

Mike Florio reporting the Steelers are interested in Allan Lazard.

If true, not only are we signing Rodgers, but we're also signing below average WRs (of which, we have plenty) to placate him.

[W&M_Steeler]

He seems that way, but I think most of us would eventually break when asked to run wind sprints all game as a distraction.

I bet he will be a major star.

Would that be such a bad thing if he did? It would be another data point discrediting the Tomlin regime that maybe the Rooneys would take notice.

[Steeldrama]

Why did this happen now and not before the draft?

Did George do something bad? LOL.

What a trainwreck.

Sooo if the Pickens trade has been in the works for a while, WHY was WR completely ignored in the draft?

As Florio states his departure was imminent

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootba ... ime-coming

Is the Steelers organization that far gone?

Train wreck indeed

*Steelers passed on Texas stud Matthew Golden in rd 1 (I do like the Harmon pick)
*Steelers passed on B2B’s boy Savion Williams, a decent Tai Felton, a shifty Chamere Dike, and stud Donte Thornton for Caleb Johnson in a historically deep running back class.
*Steelers passed on Jalen Royals and Stanford stud Elic Ayomanor for a pine rider in Jack Sawyer (yikes).
*Steelers passed on Tory Horton for a 1 down run stuffer in rd 5…in a historically deep DT draft (Zeek Biggers in Rd 7 ever bit as good if not better Yahya Black).

To TB’s point, I’ll be glad the Steelers fucked this all up if it ultimately leads to Tomlin’s departure, but man this organization is struggling right now (appears to be par for the course for Pittsburgh sports teams).

[Steelperch]

Steelers are setting up to trade their entire draft for a QB next year.

All picks round 1-7 to move into the top 5. Then they will still have 5 comp/trade picks to use for extra players.

I’m for it. Fuck Rodgers or adding another WR. Ride Rudolph into a 6 win season and rebuild. Let Hayward mentor the young guys for one year then cut him.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

"Steelers are setting up to trade their entire draft for a QB next year.

All picks round 1-7 to move into the top 5. Then they will still have 5 comp/trade picks to use for extra players.

I’m for it. Fuck Rodgers or adding another WR. Ride Rudolph into a 6 win season and rebuild. Let Hayward mentor the young guys for one year then cut him."

Again, this genius plan never works out. Then you have a bonus baby surrounded by a shitty team.

And once Manning is off the board, who is left that is demonstrably better than Howard?

[K_C_]

Mike Florio reporting the Steelers are interested in Allan Lazard.

If true, not only are we signing Rodgers, but we're also signing below average WRs (of which, we have plenty) to placate him.

Lazard re-signed with the Jets.

[Steeldrama]

Steelers are setting up to trade their entire draft for a QB next year.

All picks round 1-7 to move into the top 5. Then they will still have 5 comp/trade picks to use for extra players.

I’m for it. Fuck Rodgers or adding another WR. Ride Rudolph into a 6 win season and rebuild. Let Hayward mentor the young guys for one year then cut him.

That’s likely in line with what the Steelers are thinking

Like many of you, I don’t trust Tomlin to pick the right quarterback let alone develop him

[Gonzo]

wow -- this team is a mess.

well - one of two things is happening .... they are playing for a QB in 2026 draft or they think they are going to sign rodgers and are all in on NHALS and giving their veterans one last chance.

Cowher said there was going to be pressure to compete with Heyward and Watt and Fitzpatrick nearing the end. The problem is they are all delusional that this team can do that even with rodgers -- actually I think rodgers would harm the cause and am thus hoping they do indeed sign him ... these trades and this draft coupled with rodgers and some tired vet WR has all the earmarks of a coming train wreck

[Boukman]

Santonio
Martavis
AB
Claypool
Diontae
Pickens

Of the problem child WRs the Steelers traded away in the last 15 years, Pickens can realistically be the only one to improve upon his average Steelers stats for his new team...IF he behaves halfway normal in Dallas (BIG IF). Dak Prescott, by far, will be the best QB he has ever had, he'll be opposite a true stud #1WR in Lamb, have a pretty good O-line and simply be in a real, professional offense. I would book 75+ catches, 1300 yds, 8-10 TDs.

[StillerDownSouth]

After the fucking draft? Are you fucking serious?

I hate this goddamn team with a passion. NFL Ticket being cancelled immediately

I actually like it better now, makes them worse this year which should result in picking higher next year, double win in my book.

[Gonzo]

i think the rodgers thing is also going to be a win-win disaster for us ... either he doesnt sign and the steelers look like fools or he does sign and they still lose

[Louis Lipps Service]

Mike Florio reporting the Steelers are interested in Allan Lazard.

If true, not only are we signing Rodgers, but we're also signing below average WRs (of which, we have plenty) to placate him.

Lazard re-signed with the Jets.

I know. The Steelers are reportedly pursuing a trade.

Again, all rumors at this point, but it does seem to picking up steam.

[Mick]

The "reports" that I'm seeing say that the best offer they received prior to and during the draft was a 4th rounder.

If you can’t get a worthwhile return, don’t trade the player. I would 1000X rather he rot on the bench than get a worthless return while communicating that our FO will reward players who behave detrimentally to the team. It’s not like his salary was creating cap problems for us.

Main argument i see in favor of this is that it makes us a worse team.

[bradshaw2ben]

If Tomlin remains, it's going to have to be what I would call a "system-agnostic", "transcendent" QB prospect.

Those are rare, but basically they have to have enough talent and style flexibility to overcome bad coaching, plans, & schemes.

As for 2026, I don't think Arch Manning is a top 3 QB of the draft-eligible QBs. I also think–barring an incredible, NC & Heisman type season–he won't come out after only one year starting.

Contenders for the top QBs next year:

Arch Manning, Texas
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Aidan Chiles, Michigan State
Taylen Green, Arkansas
Sam Leavitt, Arizona State
Drew Allar, Penn State
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Cade Klubnik, Clemson
Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
Greyson James, Boston College
John Mateer, Oklahoma
Malachi Nelson, UTEP
Conor Weigman, Houston
Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech
Avery Johnson, Kansas State
Ty Thompson, Tulane
Kaidon Salter, Colorado
Carson Beck, Miami

there are some intriguing names and quite a few who will be overvalued because of their name or their helmet. There are also a few who have a chance to become hot names if they have a big season/jump in play. I think there are 9-10 QBs on that list who have a legit shot to go in the 1st round. Some won't come out, some will fall because of poor play... but I think there are still 5-6 legit QB prospects there... meaning guys I would be enthusiastic about if they were drafted by PIT.