Statistically, George Pickens fits the profile of a player a team should want to sign long term before the expiration of his rookie contract. He has averaged 58 receptions, 947 yards receiving and four touchdowns during his three NFL seasons. Pickens led the NFL with 18.1 yards per catch in 2023 when he had his only 1,000-yard receiving season (1,140).

The Pittsburgh Steelers opted to trade the equivalent of a second-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for wide receiver DK Metcalf in March. Metcalf received a four-year contract extension, averaging nearly $33 million per year, in connection with the trade where $60 million was fully guaranteed at signing.

The Steelers had reservations about Pickens because of his attitude and immaturity. Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick wer

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