By Sunday 
Well, here we are again — it’s NFL Draft Eve, and instead of just talking about prospects and draft boards, Steelers fans are refreshing George Pickens’ Instagram page like it’s a breaking news ticker.
And in classic offseason fashion, one move — or rather, one unfollow — has lit up the internet.
The Great Unfollow: George Goes Rogue?
On April 23, just one day before the 2025 NFL Draft, George Pickens quietly unfollowed the Pittsburgh Steelers on Instagram. You’d think he just deleted a brunch pic, but no — social media detectives caught it instantly.
FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz and Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora were among the first to confirm that, yes, Pickens used to follow the team as of March 9. So this wasn’t a glitch or a new account. It was deliberate. It was dramatic. And it was enough to send Steelers Twitter (and Threads, for the few still there) into chaos.
Is this Gen-Z’s way of filing a trade request?
So… Is a Trade Really Happening?
According to Schultz, it’s not just internet noise. “Multiple teams have brought up Steelers WR George Pickens in trade discussions,” he reported, adding that Pittsburgh “isn’t actively shopping him, but the conversations have taken place.”
Translation: No one’s throwing him in a cardboard box just yet, but the lines are open.
He later mentioned that the Steelers have both received and made calls regarding Pickens. And with Pickens entering the final year of his rookie deal — and Pittsburgh already committed to a big contract with DK Metcalf — it’s fair to wonder if the team is bracing for life post-George.
The QB Domino Effect
Another twist in this already messy equation: the quarterback situation.
With no Aaron Rodgers decision in sight and only Mason Rudolph on the depth chart, Pittsburgh is anything but stable under center. One NFL exec told Schultz, “You have zero clarity from Rodgers and you just spent $150 million on Metcalf… you probably have to [draft a QB] at 21.”
And if you’re drafting a QB, investing in two big-money receivers doesn’t exactly scream sustainable. It might actually scream “Get something for Pickens while you still can.”
Timing Is Everything
The draft is the most logical time to move Pickens if the Steelers are going to pull the trigger. Without a second-round pick (thanks to the Metcalf trade), Pittsburgh might view Pickens as their golden ticket to recoup valuable capital.
Whether that’s to grab a quarterback like Shedeur Sanders — or a WR replacement — this could be the moment where the team pivots toward its long-term strategy.
Stay or Go?
As it stands, the Steelers say they don’t want to trade George Pickens… but with smoke this thick, no one’s putting out the fire just yet.
If Pickens is moved, the deal could shake up the first round in a major way. If he stays, expect a very interesting training camp — maybe even a few awkward social media reunions.
So buckle up, Steelers Nation. Whether you’re team #FreeGeorge or team #ReFollowPlease, draft night just got a whole lot spicier.