Analyst reveals how George Pickens feels about being with Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens was the subject of numerous trade rumors before and during the 2025 NFL Draft, but Pittsburgh reportedly never came all that close to dealing him away this spring. 

Former quarterback and current analyst Chase Daniel of The Athletic seems to have some inside information regarding what goes on within the Steelers. During the latest edition of the "Scoop City" podcast, Daniel touched upon Pickens' relationship with his current employer. 

"A quick nugget that I heard about George Pickens from a very reliable source is that George Pickens, he actually likes his time in Pittsburgh because of (head coach) Mike Tomlin. Mike Tomlin and him have a very strong relationship is what I'm being told," Daniel explained, as shared by Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. 

That's interesting considering that Tomlin publicly said after Pickens was flagged twice for unsportsmanlike conduct in the club's 44-38 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in December that the 24-year-old needed to "grow up." Pickens' actions in that outing occurred after he previously wore eye black that featured a profane message during a game and after he grappled with an opposing player during a last-second Hail Mary attempt. 

Pickens seemingly responded to that "grow up" challenge by allegedly showing up late for Pittsburgh's Christmas Day matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Following the Steelers' wild-card playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Pickens indicated he wasn't optimistic about the future of Pittsburgh's offense. 

While Pickens remains in the final year of his rookie deal, the Steelers handed DK Metcalf a five-year contract worth $150M as part of acquiring Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks earlier this offseason. Pickens more recently sparked drama when he seemingly unfollowed the Steelers on social media shortly before the opening night of the draft. 

"I don't know if George Pickens' antics could fly anywhere but the Pittsburgh Steelers and his relationship with Mike Tomlin," Daniel added. 

The Steelers reportedly "firmly believe that" they will soon sign quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a 41-year-old who presumably will want to have as many playmakers available in the Pittsburgh passing attack as possible. Pittsburgh not acquiring a Pickens replacement via this year's draft likely said plenty about the short-term future of the 2022 second-round pick.