PITTSBURGH -- George Pickens has ignited a firestorm, vowing revenge on the Pittsburgh Steelers after his trade to the Dallas Cowboys, sources told ESPN on May 16, 2025. The young wide receiver’s heated comments have sent shockwaves through the NFL.
Pickens, traded on May 7 for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder, didn’t hold back. “If I face you again, I’ll humiliate the Steelers worse than ever!” he declared on Instagram Live, per posts on X. The Cowboys also sent a 2027 sixth-round pick to Pittsburgh in the deal.
The 24-year-old’s bitterness stems from his tumultuous exit. After recording 900 yards in 2024, Pickens was shipped out following a string of incidents, including unsportsmanlike penalties and tardiness to a 2024 Christmas Day game against the Chiefs. Mike Tomlin had urged him to “grow up,” per The Athletic.
Pickens also slammed the Steelers’ front office, calling them “the cheapest organization” in a now-deleted Instagram comment, per Sports Illustrated. He criticized their refusal to extend his contract, fearing a repeat with stars like T.J. Watt, who’s seeking a long-term deal, per Spotrac.
The Cowboys, desperate for a WR2 to pair with CeeDee Lamb, see Pickens as a dynamic deep threat. With Dak Prescott at the helm, Pickens averaged 15.3 yards per catch in 2024, ranking sixth among receivers with 50+ catches, per ESPN. Yet, his volatility raises concerns for rookie coach Brian Schottenheimer.
Steelers fans on X fired back, with @Blitz_Burgh posting, “Pickens will regret this!” Others, like @SteelersPRBurt, defended the trade, citing the addition of DK Metcalf as a better fit. Ian Rapoport noted, “Pickens’ comments add fuel to an already fiery AFC-NFC rivalry.”
Pittsburgh’s offense now hinges on Metcalf, with Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson as secondary options. The team, still awaiting Aaron Rodgers’ decision, faces a 7th straight year without a playoff win after a 2024 loss to the Buffalo Bills (4-13), per CBS Sports.
As the Steelers face the Cowboys on Thanksgiving 2025, Pickens’ revenge pledge looms large. With Lamb and Prescott by his side, he aims to prove a point—but his history suggests emotions could overshadow execution, per NFL.com.
