AFC Team Tabbed as Ideal Trade Partner for Steelers WR George Pickens
Pro Football Focus thinks the Denver Broncos would be the perfect trade partner for the Pittsburgh Steelers in a potential George Pickens trade. Denver is looking for a wide receiver, while the Steelers could offload the highly talented but also temperamental wideout, who’s heading into a contract year.
“The Broncos have been busy this offseason gearing up for another postseason run, utilizing their cap space well to build up the roster and take advantage of the window they have with a quarterback on a rookie deal. However, Denver has been notably quiet in targeting weapons to bolster this offense – something many thought would be their prime directive this offseason – as Evan Engram has been the biggest signing,” Mason Cameron of PFF wrote.
“That may signal that this front office will be targeting weapons outside of free agency, and while it could be geared towards a draft selection, another likely route would be through trade.
“Enter: George Pickens. The Steelers acquired D.K. Metcalf via trade and subsequently extended the former Seattle Seahawks receiver with a massive deal worth over $30 million annually. Given the unlikelihood of Pittsburgh allocating even more money at the position – with looming extension talks for T.J. Watt on the horizon – the probability of a Pickens trade is high.”
Pickens is a highly talented player but he’s also very unpredictable. Pickens, who is heading into a contract year in 2025, has showcased countless acts of immaturity in his first three years in Pittsburgh. That’s why there’s been speculation that he could be on the trade block. Despite a lot of chatter this offseason, the Steelers are not actively shopping their young star receiver, team and league sources told Steelers Now at the 2025 NFL Combine.
Cameron believes George Pickens would have several suitors if the Steelers do end up putting him on the trade block. He thinks Pickens landing in the Rocky Mountains makes the most sense.
“Metcalf and Pickens largely share similar skill sets as downfield threats that can win at the catch point, and with the latter’s contract set to expire after this season, teams will be interested.
“With Courtland Sutton’s contract set to expire after this season and the longtime Bronco set to turn 30 years old this season, Denver could look to get younger with Pickens. Like Metcalf, Pickens and Sutton share a similar profile, as both ranked above the 78th percentile in average depth of target over the last three seasons. The biggest difference comes in their ability to win against single coverage, where Pickens has charted in the 74th percentile over that same span, while Sutton lands in the 47th percentile.”