The Steelers Aren’t Cheap, They Just Pay the Right Players

George Pickens’ Instagram was apparently hacked by AI. Over the weekend, a comment from GP’s account lit up Twitter/X (follow me @CGillis2021). The comment read, “They the cheapest organization. Ain’t no stacking year after year they gone let them go too soon as it’s time Lmaoo.”

Shortly after, Pickens claimed he didn’t write the comment, saying he was on a plane and that it was AI.

While the Steelers may be frugal in some areas, I wouldn’t include paying deserving players among them. Key word: “deserving.” Sure, when it comes to coaching salaries or facility upgrades, the Steelers aren’t known for breaking the bank. But under GM Omar Khan and assistant GM Andy Weidl, they’ve shown a willingness to invest in talent on the field.

Before free agency, the Steelers made a huge move by trading for wide receiver DK Metcalf and immediately signing him to a five-year, $150 million contract. As soon as the trade was announced, my first thought was, “GP might be gone.” Free agency came and went, the draft passed, and Pickens was still on the roster. It looked like they might let him play out his contract and reassess next offseason.

While some have said Metcalf’s contract is an overpay, I disagree. He has been one of the most consistent and reliable receivers since entering the league. His effort is never questioned, he carries himself like a pro, and he leads. You don’t need to take extra steps to get him to do the basic things expected of him. Also, he’s one hell of a receiver. Metcalf and Randy Moss are the only two players in NFL history to post 900 or more receiving yards and five or more touchdowns in each of their first six seasons. That is why DK Metcalf is being paid like a top-five wide receiver.

Metcalf was given the extension the Steelers probably once envisioned for Pickens, and if that comment really came from him, I think it was rooted in hurt feelings. It’s been reported that he wanted to stay in Pittsburgh and that he has love and respect for Head Coach Mike Tomlin. But over time, Pickens showed why the team couldn’t feel comfortable making that kind of commitment. While Pickens may have the higher ceiling, DK is currently the completer and more consistent player.

I won’t put all the blame on Pickens though. He has some legitimate gripes. He has been stuck with a less-than-ideal quarterback and offensive coordinator situation in Pittsburgh. The team failed him just as he failed them. That said, they did cater to him. The Steelers seemed like they wanted to make him their long-term guy. They made him their unquestioned number one, brought in a wide receivers coach specifically to help him stay on track, tried numerous veteran receivers to help influence/guide him, and teammates constantly tried to keep him engaged on the sidelines.

That kind of investment doesn’t happen for a player the organization doesn’t want around. Pickens had the opportunity to be the next great Steelers wide receiver, but instead, he didn’t do what was necessary to be considered a long-term option in the Black and Gold.

Even former rival Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh weighed in and shared this on the Up On Game podcast:

“George Pickens had stepped over and crossed the line a bit too many times and I know people that play with the Steelers. He would be late for the team plane that would be flying out to away games multiple times. He would be late to get on the team bus and they had enough of it. They didn’t want to pay him $30-plus million dollars and these antics are probably just going to get worse because you’re not even making anywhere near that . You’re doing all this now? What are you gonna do when you get the money? And so they said, ‘You know what, we’re gonna get rid of . Dallas, he’s your problem,’ but he’s gonna be a really good problem.” (credit: Steelers Depot)

The Steelers were simply done with Pickens’ actions and traded him to the Dallas Cowboys. Being late to meetings, practice, and even games, and showing a lack of effort on the field, it was only a matter of time before his time was up.

Now on to Dallas. That move could end up being the best or worst thing that happens to him. The Cowboys seem like a perfect fit for Pickens, who should pair very well with their current WR1 CeeDee Lamb. He’s an amazing talent and I hope it works out, but time will tell. The Steelers are one of the most patient organizations in the NFL. When they decide they’re done with a player, there’s usually more going on behind the scenes. And history hasn’t been kind to Steelers receivers who were traded away.

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Stay positive and stay blessed… “Here We Go”