According to one Steelers insider, it doesn’t sound like the team’s top wide receiver will have a new contact going into the 2025 season.
During his weekly chat in the Post-Gazette, Steelers writer Gerry Dulac was asked about what “surprise releases or trades” the Steelers could make in the offseason, assuming the re-sign Russell Wilson and George Pickens.
Dulac started by saying he sees the Steelers letting guard James Daniels and tackle Dan Moore Jr. walk after the season.
Moore has especially played well enough to price himself out of Pittsburgh in 2025 and get a big pay day somewhere else.
But then Dulac mentioned Pickens, saying, “I don't think you will see any Pickens extension handed out before the 2025 season.”
2025 is the last year of Pickens’ rookie deal with Pittsburgh.
Speaking about Pickens on Wednesday morning, former Steelers executive Doug Whaley said with Pickens in this third year with the Steelers he is who he is and it is no longer about changing Pickens’ attitude on the field (with the misconduct penalties) it’s about managing him.
“If you haven’t reached a guy by now, you’re not going to reach him,” said Whaley. “I’m not going to be surprised . . . if he costs us a game.”
The Steelers have dealt with WRs with egos in the past (see Antonio Brown).
Like Brown, if they give Pickens a big contract, could the money turn him into an even bigger problem?