The Green Bay Packers have some solid offensive weapons. Running back Josh Jacobs was awesome for Green Bay this season, and the receivers all pitched in. The Packers had four pass-catchers over 600 receiving yards, but no one stood out above the rest as the clear No. 1 option.
The Packers handed Jordan Love a huge extension last offseason and need to surround him with more consistent weapons, especially a true WR1. That’s why one NFL analyst suggests they should trade for the Pittsburgh Steelers George Pickens.
NFL Analyst Suggests Steelers Should Trade George Pickens to Green Bay
Pickens registered 59 catches for 900 yards and three touchdowns in the regular season. However, he has been inconsistent for the Steelers, and his performances have been marred by issues on the field, apart from impending contractual issues off the field.
NFL.com’s Adam Rank believes his inconsistency is a result of Pittsburgh changing its quarterbacks each year. He suggests the Steelers should trade Pickens to the Packers, where he could produce better in Matt LaFleur’s offense.
“Here’s another young receiver who could fetch a nice price from a trading partner seeking a true No. 1 pass-catching option. (Right, Green Bay?),” Rank said.
“Pickens has been inconsistent, but the Steelers have also trotted out a wide assortment of quarterbacks during his first three seasons in the NFL. Having him as the top target for, say, Jordan Love would be huge for Matt LaFleur’s Packers offense.
“The Steelers also get a chance to avoid an uncomfortable conversation with Pickens when the 2022 second-round pick’s contract is up at the end of the 2025 season. And let’s be completely honest, the Steelers have done a great job over the last few decades of moving on from receivers before issues arise, financial or otherwise.”
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Pickens was drafted 52nd overall by the Steelers in the 2022 NFL Draft and has tallied over 800 receiving yards in each of his three seasons so far. He averages 16.3 yards per catch and has 12 touchdowns to his name.
While these stats are no better than the Packers’ current receiver room, led by Jayden Reed with 857 receiving yards, Pickens has been working in a downgraded offense ranked 25th in PFSN’s offense+ metric (the Packers were eighth). He still has improved his route running ability in recent years and would give Jordan Love a reliable security blanket in key situations, something they lacked last season.
Pickens Hints at Frustration With Steelers’ Offense
After the loss against the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card Round, the 23-year-old was asked about his future with the Steelers since his rookie contract enters its final year in 2025. He outlaid the positives of their offense and his growth.
“I’m really just thinking about right now, to be honest,” Pickens said. “I can’t even think about the future. I am just thinking about what just happened. I seen signs of growth for sure from the first year I have been here. Just way more growth for sure.”
The reporters then asked the WR whether these signs of improvement make him optimistic regarding the future of the offense, to which he replied, “Nah.”
