What surprised Steelers insider about George Pickens trade to Cowboys

Wide receiver George Pickens first became the subject of trade rumors months before it was reported on Wednesday that the Pittsburgh Steelers were sending him to the Dallas Cowboys. 

During an appearance on Pittsburgh radio station 102.5 WDVE, Steelers insider Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette acknowledged that he's surprised the club didn't draft a receiver to serve as a new No. 2 option behind recently acquired star DK Metcalf. 

"They're almost basically back to where they were before they got Metcalf," Dulac said about the AFC North side, as shared by Jake Brockhoff of Steelers Depot. "One wide receiver, and let's see how the other guys do. They really like Roman Wilson. But they haven't seen him on the field. And you know, [Calvin Austin III] is OK. But this is why I was a little surprised they didn't draft a wide receiver, knowing in their mind that they were gonna get rid of George Pickens before the season began."

Pickens is in the final year of his rookie contract, and it was thought before the draft that Pittsburgh had little interest in offering him an extension after the club handed Metcalf a five-year deal worth $150M. After news of Wednesday's trade broke, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio and Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly of "The Pat McAfee Show" made it known that head coach Mike Tomlin always intended to move on from the 24-year-old before the start of the 2025 campaign. 

As for Wilson, injuries limited the 2024 third-round draft pick to just five offensive snaps during his rookie season. Meanwhile, ESPN stats show that Austin ended this past campaign fifth on the Steelers with 36 receptions, third with 548 receiving yards and second with four touchdown catches. 

It's possible the Steelers didn't target a receiver during the draft because they believe they'll soon sign free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers and then complete a trade for New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard. Lazard first played alongside Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers from 2018 to 2022, and they spent the last two seasons together with the Jets. 

On Thursday, the Steelers were linked with Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs. Doubs was a rookie during Rodgers' final season with Green Bay (2022).