One of the big decisions that must be made between the Pittsburgh Steelers brasses this offseason is the plan with wide receivers, more specifically George Pickens. When he enters the final year of his rookie contract, this is usually when the Steelers make a long-term deal if they consider him a future pillar of the organization. His maturity issues have led to many questions, both on and off the field, whether he is already playing his final snap in Pittsburgh with potential for an offseason deal.
Steelers Insider Mark Kaboly thinks it’s more likely than an expansion, but still doesn’t see them going that route.
“I have no sense that George Pickens will not be here this year,” Caboly said. Fan evening show with Austin Bectord via 93.7. “You run over it with both of those guys with George Pickens, and you’ll take a guy like Deebo Samuel and don’t even pay him a second contract. You’ll He said he was playing it this year, drafted the guy and hopefully Roman Wilson, Calvin Austin [III] And whoever they drafted this year, the first round, would be the future wide receiver group. ”
The main concern, and what Kaboly said at length throughout the season, is that if he has a crippled contract in 2025, the Pickens could be causing problems. Without long-term transaction security, he would think to consider holding out. Do you want to get a new contract? And what if Pickens had an incredible year that was going well towards the end of the season before his injury? What will you do with him in the 2026 season?
“I don’t think they’re going down the route to trade George Pickens right now,” Caboly said. “I think they’ll go a more route. [of] What Bengal is doing and if he has any of the incredible years, you just keep him with the franchise tag. ”
Prediction 2025 Franchise Tag For wide receivers, it’s $25,693,000, and it will rise next year if the salary cap rises. The presence of that tag provides some security in case the Pickens is eventually promoted to one of the league’s top receivers, but it becomes a very price tag to start long-term negotiations. Masu.
Tee Higgins appeared in 12 games with the Bengals last season, catching 73 passes for 911 yards and 10 TDs. The Pickens caught 59 passes for 900 yards in 14 games and 3 TDs. Apart from touchdown production, the Pickens’ stats resemble Higgins from recent seasons. However, Bengal has been on the historic attack on success and tends to maintain their core. The Steelers never realize they are in the same position when the time comes for a decision.
The conversation gets heated up in a few weeks at the start of free agency during the 2025 NFL Draft. If Pickens is handed out, it could be one of those two. Otherwise, it would be another year of taking on the issues of maturity that sometimes irritates with epic play.
