Despite the Steelers organization publicly and repeatedly saying that they plan to keep both D.K. Metcalf and George Pickens, behind the scenes they are making calls to other teams about Pickens according to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports.

The Steelers have an established history of centering their wide receiver groups around one notable player, while making other pass catchers one-contract players. Hines Ward and Antonio Brown served as cornerstones, and the team surrounded Diontae Johnson‘s extension with rookie-contract cogs.

Metcalf now serves as the Steelers’ receiving anchor, having secured a big-ticket extension upon arrival via trade. This leaves George Pickens with an uncertain Pittsburgh future. It would appear the talented wideout will be auditioning for his next contract in 2025, but the Steelers might be OK moving on before that point.

Many targeted Pickens as a potential trade candidate this offseason even before the Metcalf trade.  Pickens has played well in stretches but at other times seems to disappear in the offense and, not unlike Diontae Johnson, maturity issues have impacted his three-year run in Pittsburgh.

So who could be interested in acquiring Pickens.  One team Schultz mentions is the Green Bay Packers, who lack a true No.1 receiver.  Calling the Steelers “more serious” than people know about moving Pickens now, an AFC GM informed Schultz Green Bay is among the teams involved in this developing trade sweepstakes.