George Pickens wants to stay with Pittsburgh Steelers, insider says

The trade rumors around George Pickens have cooled down, and the star wide receiver wants to be with the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

“Trade talks or anything of that sort have cooled. There was some smoke around the NFL Draft, but I was told, in the end, [George] Pickens in the end wants to be in Pittsburgh, sort of flirted with a trade request, but in the end, he loves Mike Tomlin and wants to be a part of things,” Fowler said on NFL Live.

When asked this offseason if the team plans to trade Pickens on Tuesday, general manager Omar Khan has often noted that the team would like Pickens and Metcalf to be together.

“No, I mean, we’re glad we have George and DK here. I think they’re going to be exciting for everyone to watch. I’m excited to have DK here, but now I’m going to answer your question,” Khan said.

Pickens missed three games with a hamstring injury, dampening what looked to be a second-straight 1000-yard season with the third-year wide receiver.

He averaged 15.3 yards per reception with 59 receptions for 900 yards on the year. In each of the last two seasons, Pickens has eclipsed 15 yards per catch and 900 yards as the focus of the team’s passing offense.