Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is heading into the final year of his rookie deal in 2025. And given how the first three years have gone, his future in Pittsburgh is very uncertain. Former Steelers outside linebacker James Harrison is the latest Black and Gold legend to express that it would be in the organization's best interest to trade the highly talented but also unpredictable wide receiver.
"Just from what I'm seeing, what I'm hearing, I don't know, if it was me I would try and trade him," Harrison sai d on the Nightcap podcast with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson at Super Bowl media row. "I think he's gonna want a deal. He's not going to come back without a deal, you know what I'm saying. I don't see, with his current and past behavior, as an organization taking a chance and saying, 'Hey, I'm gonna give you this.'"
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk also questions if the Steelers should give Pickens a new contract. He thinks it could have a negative effect if a massive payday is granted this offseason or next.
"If you make him prove himself this year and then you pay him, does he revert? Does he act the way he should for one year, get the contract? Florio pondered . "Because once you get that contract, you know the way the contract's gonna be structured, you have a certain amount of bulletproof-ness to you. If you give him money, is he gonna change? And at what point do you come to the conclusion that this is just who he is?"
Steelers president Art Rooney II revealed during his season-ending press conference that they haven't had discussions about extending Pickens' contract yet. Pickens is heading into the final year on his rookie deal, but the first three years have been tumultuous due to a series of outbursts and immature behavior from the Georgia product.
The 23-year-old has been fined on many occasions and a recent report revealed he arrived late to the Steelers Christmas day game against the Kansas City Chiefs .
Rooney believes there's certainly room for growth with Pickens.
"Look, George is a very talented player, who has room to grow," Rooney said . "We will would like to see him grow, and hopefully he realizes the potential that he has. But, there's definitely room for growth there."
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 1, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Rooney believes character issues with wide receivers is a common theme across the league. It's not just a problem in Pittsburgh.
"I think every team seems to have one or two guys in that room that you have to manage correctly," Rooney said. "I still think George has enough talent that we've got to try to work and see if we can get him to reach and fulfill the talent that he really has. Who knows if we can get there. We'll see. When you have guys that are as talented as some of the guys you're probably thinking of, you try to work with them and have help them help you be successful."
RELATED: Art Rooney II Thinks There's 'Definitely Room for Growth' with Steelers WR George Pickens
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin admitted during his season-ending press conference that extending Pickens is far from a priority right now .
"We haven't had any conversations about pecking orders or priorities, regarding any individuals contractually," Tomlin said. "We're not there yet and I don't know that that's going to transpire this week. We're just still assessing what transpired in 2024. Those are more 2025 things."
The Steelers have given Pickens more than enough time to mature, but it feels as though he has taken more steps backwards than towards that goal. Tomlin also mentioned that there's room for growth for Pickens.
"There's certainly, obviously, more room for growth there," Tomlin said. "I think he covered some ground in 2024, but there's certainly a heck of a lot more ground to be covered. We'll see where it leads us."
Aaron Becker provided reporting for this story.
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