The Pittsburgh Steelers ridded themselves of George Pickens this offseason not because of the player, but the character. Someone as talented as Pickens doesn't fall to the second round of the NFL Draft and get traded to the Dallas Cowboys before his rookie deal is up for no reason.
Many believed, however, that a change of scenery would do wonders for Pickens. That in a contract year he would wise up and grasp the concept of playing in the NFL for the long haul, improving his maturity. Well, it only took around 2.5 quarters for all of that to go out of the window.
New team, might be the same GP though #Steelers
— Rob Gregson (@NFL_Rob) September 5, 2025
pic.twitter.com/wUyjaULzjD
Honestly, you coud see this one coming from a mile away. Pickens only had two catches for 15 yards at halftime. His patience had to be wearing thin, and new environment or not, he only has so much time before his ticker goes boom. As of the weather delay, he had the same amount of penalty yards, as he did receiving yards.
I mean, just look at the penalty. It's kind of funny when it's for a different team, but who in their right mind jumps up and tries to grab someone by their facemask instead of trying to block? Oh that's right George Pickens, who has a history of doing crazy things.
A player who was flagged three times in a half against the Cincinnati Bengals last year, prompting his head coach to say he needed to grow up after the game. A player who was fined what felt like every single week last season, totaling nearly $60,000 in punishment from the NFL alone.
A player who, when the game was on the line against the Cleveland Browns, he thought it was a better idea to fight with opposing corners than go up for a Hail Mary. Oh and that just scratches the surface of what Pickens did in Pittsburgh, but it mirrors his debut with the Cowboys.
I guess a leopard can't change its spots.
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