Stephen A. Smith Worries About George Pickens Following DK Metcalf Deal

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ incapacity to seek out large receiver assist price them in 2024. This offseason, they acquired forward of issues early, buying and selling for DK Metcalf on Sunday. Lastly, George Pickens isn’t the one playmaker on the place. Nonetheless, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith wonders simply how nicely Pickens will regulate to having Metcalf within the constructing.

“He [George Pickens] was temperamental earlier than that,” Smith stated Monday on ESPN’s First Take. “So now that his has occurred, think about how way more temperamental he could also be.”

Should you thought the Steelers have been in an odd scenario with George Pickens earlier than buying Metcalf, then certainly it’s much more uncomfortable now. Pickens has only one yr left on his rookie contract earlier than turning into an unrestricted free agent. Even when he was the one dominant receiver within the room, the Steelers weren’t thrilled about handing him a big extension. How does that change with Metcalf on the roster?

It’s an adjustment, for certain, but it surely’s one Pickens could make. He shared the sphere with some gifted go catchers throughout his time in school, so it’s not like he’s by no means been the primary choice earlier than. The case is also made that he’s by no means had a ton of mentorship at his place. Metcalf may present that, as he’s happening his seventh NFL season.

Whether or not that may even work stays up within the air. One factor that’s true is that the Steelers simply upgraded their offense in dramatic vogue. They went from having the place as one among their largest wants this offseason to now having among the best receiving duos within the league. If this commerce units any precedent, it’s an instance that GM Omar Khan and the Steelers aren’t afraid of creating any splashy strikes.

As for Pickens, 2025 is now much more necessary. As we get deeper into to the offseason, loads of storylines may play out. Do the Steelers wish to give two massive contract extensions to receivers who’ve had their temperamental moments prior to now? If not, does George Pickens hold-in in hopes of receiving a brand new one anyway? Do the Steelers simply take the worth and commerce him going into his contract yr?

If we’ve realized something, it’s that we don’t know what to anticipate with Pickens. If he and the Steelers can determine issues out, they’ve acquired a terrific duo shifting ahead.