Star wide receiver might be on the trade market, with the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers among potential suitors. Several reports suggest the Steelers are growing frustrated with his sideline behavior and attitude, particularly due to a lack of playing time. Pickens has struggled in the 2024 season, with his effort and demeanor on the field drawing criticism. Drafted in 2022, the Georgia product aimed to establish himself as a reliable target for any future Steelers quarterback, but his inconsistency has become a concern.
The Steelers may consider trading Pickens to prevent any negative impact on the locker room, as his antics are reportedly affecting other players. The team has been searching for stability at receiver since trading Diontae Johnson to the Panthers last offseason, and Pickens’ lackluster performance isn’t helping. There is still hope that he could improve once Russell Wilson takes over as the starting quarterback.
If the issues persist and Pittsburgh continues to struggle, it wouldn’t be surprising if Pickens becomes available for a trade. He has expressed dissatisfaction with the Steelers since the departure of Kenny Pickett, but the team remains optimistic that the young receiver can find his form. With a potential contract extension on the horizon next year, trading him while he’s healthy could be the best option for the Steelers.
Problematic Star George Pickens May Be On Trade Block, Saints, Panthers Could Pursue Him
Saving the Saints
The New Orleans Saints just can’t seem to catch a break. After starting the season 2-0, the team’s offense began to fall apart. Now, head coach Dennis Allen is facing the challenge of moving forward without Derek Carr and Rashid Shaheed for a few weeks, which could push the team to explore trade options. The offensive line was already a concern before these injuries, but if nothing else, acquiring a player like George Pickens could help provide some stability for rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler.
Initially, Carr had hoped to reunite with Davante Adams, but his injury has led the team to rethink their plans for the future. They decided against bringing in a short-term veteran to make a deep playoff push. With Carr’s future in doubt, especially if Rattler shows promise, the Saints may not hesitate to take a chance on Pickens. While trading for him is a risky move due to his performance issues, it could be the spark Allen needs to keep his job.
Pickens is still young and could serve as a temporary solution for a team trying to stabilize its offense, particularly with Chris Olave dealing with injuries. Although Pickens might not be a long-term answer, potentially lasting only three years, his addition could still aid the development of this evolving offense.
Rebuilding the Panthers
The 1-5 Carolina Panthers seem poised for another rebuilding year following a rough season. The team had initially hoped that Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen would be their primary receivers moving forward, but it now appears that this season was more of a trial under new head coach Dave Canales. With Johnson likely on the trade block and Thielen on injured reserve, the Panthers are in desperate need of help to develop rookie wideout Xavier Legette.
After moving on from Terrace Marshall due to struggles in finding his role, trading for George Pickens could be a promising step toward rebuilding the team’s future. Although the Johnson experiment may not have panned out, bringing in Pickens might help jumpstart the offense, especially if Carolina can find a reliable quarterback or give Bryce Young a real chance to develop. While Pickens has had his share of issues, a fresh start could be exactly what he needs to restore his value and help the Panthers establish a more consistent passing game.
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