The Green Bay Packers are “serious” about getting Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens, according to FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz. Pickens is in the final year of his rookie deal and the Steelers just locked up DK Metcalf with a $132 million extension. Will they pay market value to keep Pickens around?
Packers Show Serious Interest in Steelers’ George Pickens
Pickens was drafted by the Steelers in 2021 and has 2,841 receiving yards in three NFL seasons. He’s big, fast, and a big play threat. The Packers need a target for Jordan Love, and Pickens is an interesting option. But the Steelers might not want to get rid of him unless they can’t afford to keep him long term.
After signing DK Metcalf to a $132 million extension, questions remain if they will pay top dollar for Pickens, too. If they can’t match the market for both receivers, moving Pickens might be the move, and the Packers are ready to pounce.
A Missed Opportunity in 2021?
This isn’t the first time the Packers have shown interest in Pickens. In 2021 they brought him in for a pre-draft visit but chose to trade up for Christian Watson instead. Watson has shown flashes of brilliance but injuries (most recently an ACL tear) have limited his availability and impact.
For Packers fans, it feels like a missed opportunity now. And to add insult to injury Watson’s health issues have left the team searching for reliable options at wide receiver. Could getting Pickens finally give the offense the stability and firepower it needs?
What Would It Take to Get Pickens?
Schultz’s reporting says the Packers are serious about getting Pickens, but a draft week trade isn’t a slam dunk. Timing is everything, especially with physicals and finalizing terms. And any deal would likely require the Packers to give up draft capital—a big price to pay for a player who hasn’t signed a long term deal yet.
If the Packers do get Pickens, he’d likely sign an extension with his new team. According to Spotrac, Pickens’ projected deal would be 4 years, $94.3 million. That’s a big investment in a player who’s a cornerstone for the future.
Is Schultz Reliable? A Word of Caution
Before Packers fans get too hyped, let’s not forget that Schultz’s track record isn’t perfect. He previously predicted Odell Beckham Jr. would come to Green Bay multiple times—a move that never happened. He also way overestimated the number of players at the NFL Draft, saying 8-10 would show up when 18 did.
While Schultz’s report on Pickens is interesting, skepticism is warranted until we see some actual progress. But the mere possibility of this trade has the NFL world buzzing.
Why This Trade Makes Sense for Both Teams?
For the Packers, getting Pickens addresses a huge need at wide receiver and gives Jordan Love a real target to grow with. For the Steelers, moving Pickens frees up resources to focus on other areas of need if they’ve already committed big money to Metcalf.
But trading during draft week is no easy task. Teams have to navigate the timing, negotiate fair compensation, and get all the medicals done. It’s unlikely—but not impossible—that a deal gets done before the draft ends.
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