Jets Country

Jets Could Swing Blockbuster Trade For Polarizing Steelers Star

Could the Jets trade for George Pickens?
Zach Pressnell|
Jan 11, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) looks on in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC wild card game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Jan 11, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) looks on in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC wild card game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images | Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

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Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox recently suggested the Pittsburgh Steelers could look to trade their star wide receiver George Pickens this offseason, potentially as soon as the next few days leading up to the NFL Draft.

"Pickens has largely filled the Steelers' No. 1 receiver role over the past three seasons," Knox wrote. "However, Metcalf should come in as the new top target, while Pickens heads into a contract year without a new deal. The Steelers are unlikely to pay both receivers top-of-the-market value, which could lead to Pickens' departure sooner than later."

Though Knox didn't specifically mention the New York Jets as a potential landing spot, they could make sense if the Steelers opt to move Pickens.

Pickens played with New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields a year ago and the two seemed to have quite the connection in the few games they played together.

New York needs to add a wide receiver even though it was able to retain Allen Lazard. The Jets lost Davante Adams and they're unlikely to use their top draft selection on a star wide receiver prospect.

Pairing Pickens alongside Garrett Wilson would give the Jets a formidable pair of talented wide receivers with the potential to break open the game at any time. If the Steelers opt to float Pickens as a trade chip, the Jets should take the bait.

At the end of the day, I don't believe the Steelers should or will trade Pickens. Pittsburgh has struggled with wide receiver depth for the last two years. It brought in DK Metcalf to fix this issue. Trading Pickens would cause the Steelers to have the same lack of depth at the position, so it just wouldn't make much sense.

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Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "New York Jets On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

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