Steelers Send Star WR to AFC Rival in Wild Trade Idea

Would the Pittsburgh Steelers seriously jettison one of their top wide receivers after literally just acquiring D.K. Metcalf?

It seems rather outlandish, as the Steelers swung a trade for Metcalf in order to bolster their lagging offense, but Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton feels that Pittsburgh may ultimately try to move fellow receiver George Pickens in a surprise trade.

More specifically, Moton is proposing that the Steelers send Pickens to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick and a fifth-rounder.

“The Pittsburgh Steelers made a splash on the wide receiver trade market when they acquired DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks. They also signed him to a five-year, $150 million extension,” Moton wrote. “After making a significant investment in the two-time Pro Bowler, the Steelers are unlikely to give Pickens a massive pay raise once his contract expires next offseason.”

Apparently, Moton doesn’t think that Pittsburgh will be paying both receivers, but with the Steelers potentially contending for a Super Bowl in 2025 depending on whether or not they land Aaron Rodgers, why would they send Pickens packing now?

“While trading Pickens would be a loss for the 2025 term, the Steelers can get ahead of a likely divorce from him and get draft capital for a productive young receiver,” Moton explained.

Well, if a couple of Day 3 picks is all the Steelers can extract in return for Pickens, they may as well just hold onto him and see what happens next offseason.

A duo of Metcalf and Pickens is definitely tantalizing, and should Pittsburgh add Rodgers, it may very well become the favorite to win the AFC North.

Of course, if things don’t work out in Steel City, there is a possibility that the Steelers try to move Pickens before the NFL trade deadline next fall, but the chances of Pittsburgh actually trading the 24-year-old this offseason are slim to none.