The Pittsburgh Steelers shook up their offseason strategy on May 7, 2025, by trading wide receiver George Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys, in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder . The move immediately adds draft capital, giving the Steelers a potential 12 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft—including all seven of their own picks plus compensatory selections and Dallas’s third-round pick .

Pickens, 24, was the Steelers’ second-round pick in 2022 and produced 174 receptions for 2,841 yards and 12 touchdowns over 48 games . Known for spectacular plays, he also drew attention—and occasional fines—for on-field immaturity. In 2023, he led the NFL with an 18.1-yard average per catch, but off-field incidents and penalties caused friction with the organization . Head coach Mike Tomlin even noted that Pickens “has just got to grow up” .

This is the latest in the Steelers’ receiver overhaul. Earlier this offseason, Pittsburgh acquired DK Metcalf from Seattle and signed veteran Robert Woods. Those moves, along with confidence in younger receivers like Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson, made Pickens expendable .

Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer and GM Jerry Jones clearly value Pickens as a secondary threat to CeeDee Lamb, bolstered by Dallas’s decision to forego drafting another wideout . Meanwhile, the Steelers plan to use the trade’s additional picks either to draft a young quarterback in 2026 or to leverage them in further roster moves .

Pittsburgh veteran Cam Heyward encouraged fans to stay patient, reminding them that the team is building for both a winning 2025 season and future success . With 12 draft picks on hand, the Steelers now face a more flexible future.