By Sunday 
Pickens Opens Up on Steelers Split: “I Forced the Trade”
George Pickens isn’t one to bite his tongue—and this week, the former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout made it crystal clear: he didn’t just leave the Steel City… he forced his way out.
Deleted Tweets, Not-So-Deleted Drama
The whole thing unfolded on X (formerly Twitter), where Pickens found himself in a digital shouting match with a fan over his time in Pittsburgh. It started when someone posted a highlight reel of his “transgressions” with the Steelers, even dating back to his days at Georgia.
Pickens, now suiting up for the Dallas Cowboys, didn’t hold back.
“Lmao, I play for the Cowboys. Now stop reminiscing, bro,” he fired back. “And trying to justify the trade, y’all just lost another good player to fake reports like this one.”
When another fan accused him of being the problem, Pickens dropped the bombshell in a now-deleted reply:
“I forced buddy. They were gladly keeping me … have a nice day and a blessed one my guy.”
So much for the “out of my control” narrative.
Wait, Didn’t He Say the Opposite?
Yeah. About that. In his first press conference with the Cowboys, Pickens gave a very different take.
“This game is just as much of a business as it is football,” he said. “It was kind of out of my control. I’m just glad to be here in Dallas and continue the winning culture that they have.”
So… which one is it?
It seems Pickens is rewriting—or maybe just clarifying—his exit story. Either way, he’s showing he wants control of his narrative now that he’s moved on from Pittsburgh.
What Went Wrong in Pittsburgh?
According to The Athletic, there were some behind-the-scenes issues brewing. Pickens reportedly showed up 40 minutes late to the Steelers’ Christmas Day game against the Chiefs—after the team had already submitted its inactives. He was coming back from a hamstring injury and was supposed to test it before the game.
That moment might’ve been the final straw for a team already walking on eggshells.
And it’s not just Pickens. The Steelers’ 2022 top two picks—Pickens and QB Kenny Pickett—both failed to finish their rookie contracts in Pittsburgh. That’s a pretty glaring red flag about how things have been going for that draft class.
Pickens Still Producing
Despite the drama, Pickens has been productive. He notched 59 receptions for 900 yards in 2024, missing three games with that hamstring injury. His 15.3 yards per catch average held strong, and he’s now had back-to-back seasons with over 900 yards and over 15 yards per reception.
Bottom line: the talent is there. And now, with a fresh start in Dallas, he’s ready to flip the page.
The only question is whether this new chapter will be about growth… or more fireworks.