Steelers’ GM Omar Khan Defends George Pickens Trade to Cowboys
In a move that has left many Pittsburgh Steelers fans scratching their heads, the team traded their star wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. The trade, which netted the Steelers a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, has been met with mixed reactions. However, Steelers general manager Omar Khan is standing by the decision, stating that it “made sense for everyone.”
During a press conference on Friday, Khan elaborated on the reasoning behind the trade. “We just kind of talked about it, lots of serious conversation, honest conversations,” Khan explained. “And we just felt that a fresh start for both sides was the right thing.” It’s worth noting that Pickens did not request a trade, and according to Khan, the deal came together “quickly.”
Khan shared that there were inquiries about Pickens during the draft, but nothing that seemed worthwhile until the Cowboys reached out earlier in the week with a proposal. “The Cowboys reached out earlier this week, and they proposed something for us to think about,” Khan said.
Despite Pickens’ tenure in Pittsburgh being marked by several incidents of immature conduct, Khan does not view his time with the team as a “disappointment.” “I wouldn’t use the word disappointment,” Khan said. “You know we had three years with George, and you know we had some exciting times, but you know, it’s just time for the fresh start. For both sides, it was the right thing.”
Meanwhile, Pickens, speaking to Dallas media in a conference call, expressed no regrets about his time in Pittsburgh. “I can’t really say that,” Pickens said. “I’m more of like a, be where I’m at right now, where my feet at, so can’t even really think about it in the past. I’m just glad to be a Cowboy.”
One of the concerns for Steelers fans is the timing of the trade, which prevented the team from acquiring draft picks or a potential rookie wide receiver from this year’s class. However, Khan remains confident in the team’s current roster of receivers.
The Steelers had previously bolstered their receiving corps by acquiring Seattle receiver DK Metcalf in a blockbuster trade on the eve of free agency. They also signed veteran receiver Robert Woods to a one-year deal. These additions join a group that includes 2022 fourth-round pick Calvin Austin III and 2024 third-round pick Roman Wilson.
- DK Metcalf: Acquired in a blockbuster trade
- Robert Woods: Signed to a one-year deal
- Calvin Austin III: 2022 fourth-round pick
- Roman Wilson: 2024 third-round pick
“We wouldn’t have done this if we didn’t feel good about the receiver situation, about our depth here,” Khan said. “I know people make the comparison about last year, it’s not even close to being the same.”
Reflecting on the previous year, the Steelers had heavily pursued a trade for 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk to add depth to their corps, which included Pickens, Austin, Wilson, Scotty Miller, and Van Jefferson. Unfortunately, Wilson missed most of the season due to lingering injuries that began in training camp.
“Obviously we made the investment with DK,” Khan said, explaining the difference in 2024 and 2025. “We’ve had another year with some of the young guys and gotten to know them, watched them develop. We added Robert Woods. Roman is healthy. … Obviously he didn’t get the chance to get on the field, but there was some excitement there.”
Khan emphasized the team’s confidence in their current group of receivers, stating, “We have a good group. There’s some guys that are back. And we’ve seen their growth and have another year under our belt with them and feel good about it.”
While Khan didn’t rule out the possibility of adding another veteran wide receiver to fill the now-vacant WR2 spot, he reiterated his comfort with the current roster. “If there’s an opportunity to add a playmaker in offense, regardless of whether it’s a receiver or wherever it is, we’re gonna look into it,” he said. “And if it makes sense, it makes sense. But there’s always good players available.”
In conclusion, Khan remains optimistic about the team’s future, stating, “There’s good players out there. If we wanted to add some people, we could, but we feel comfortable with them.”
Originally Written by: Brooke Pryor
