Every time a talented player is traded away, the team has to answer for it.
In meeting with reporters today at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Omar Khan didn't shy away from the fallout of trading George Pickens to the Cowboys for a third-round pick in next year's NFL Draft. In fact, a common theme was repeated multiple times, and it wasn't any disappointment in the relationship coming to an end prior to the end of Pickens' rookie contract.
"I wouldn't use the word disappointment," Khan said. "We had three years with George and we had some exciting times, but it was just time for a fresh start for both sides. It was the right thing."
Khan called the trade a "fresh start" on four different occasions in this session. Also calling it "the right thing" also puts it in a different light, as well.
Khan cleared up a few things, including that Pickens did not request a trade. He also clarified the timeline for the trade, saying that true talks with the Cowboys didn't begin until earlier this week, which conflicts with several reports that said talks began during the NFL Draft.
Once trade talks began, Khan met with the important decision makers on the South Side to talk about what would be best for the Steelers, and also had some conversations with Pickens' agent, David Mulugheta, getting a feel for how potential contract extension negotiations could go later this summer. We now obviously see where those talks ended up: A 2026 third-round pick and swap of fifth- and sixth-round picks in 2027 was worth severing ties with Pickens.
The decision to trade Pickens comes down to two main factors. First, moving on from Pickens negates the potential for a lot of drama. No longer do the Steelers have to be concerned about the issues that permeated the locker room thanks to on- and off-the-field antics. In addition, they no longer have to deal with with a potential hold-in during training camp.
Second, acquiring a third-round pick in next year's draft sets the team up for an even stronger supply of draft capital. The team is now projected to have 12 picks, including at least three in the third round, in next year's NFL Draft, which just so happens to be in Pittsburgh.
That's not the reason the Steelers want to have a plethora of picks next year. As I've been reporting for weeks, they have their eyes on a stronger class in 2026, including the potential of making a move to draft a franchise quarterback. That's one of the reasons why they let several free agents leave, hoarding the maximum of four compensatory picks for the 2026 NFL Draft.
"This year we were in a position where it was important for us to acknowledge the fact that we could be in a position to acquire comp picks next year," Khan said. "You guys saw how we did things in the offseason, that was obviously something that was in the back of our minds when we made decisions. We’ll see how it all shakes out during the next phase of this and how much these guys play to determine where those comp picks end up, but that’s something we were obviously cognizant of."
It's not an easy decision to move on from a receiver as talented as Pickens. But, when a third-round pick is enticing enough to pull the plug and repeatedly call it a fresh start, it's indicative of just how much the relationship soured.
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
6:11 pm - 05.09.2025South SideKhan: Pickens trade provides Steelers 'fresh start'
Every time a talented player is traded away, the team has to answer for it.
In meeting with reporters today at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Omar Khan didn't shy away from the fallout of trading George Pickens to the Cowboys for a third-round pick in next year's NFL Draft. In fact, a common theme was repeated multiple times, and it wasn't any disappointment in the relationship coming to an end prior to the end of Pickens' rookie contract.
"I wouldn't use the word disappointment," Khan said. "We had three years with George and we had some exciting times, but it was just time for a fresh start for both sides. It was the right thing."
Khan called the trade a "fresh start" on four different occasions in this session. Also calling it "the right thing" also puts it in a different light, as well.
Khan cleared up a few things, including that Pickens did not request a trade. He also clarified the timeline for the trade, saying that true talks with the Cowboys didn't begin until earlier this week, which conflicts with several reports that said talks began during the NFL Draft.
Once trade talks began, Khan met with the important decision makers on the South Side to talk about what would be best for the Steelers, and also had some conversations with Pickens' agent, David Mulugheta, getting a feel for how potential contract extension negotiations could go later this summer. We now obviously see where those talks ended up: A 2026 third-round pick and swap of fifth- and sixth-round picks in 2027 was worth severing ties with Pickens.
The decision to trade Pickens comes down to two main factors. First, moving on from Pickens negates the potential for a lot of drama. No longer do the Steelers have to be concerned about the issues that permeated the locker room thanks to on- and off-the-field antics. In addition, they no longer have to deal with with a potential hold-in during training camp.
Second, acquiring a third-round pick in next year's draft sets the team up for an even stronger supply of draft capital. The team is now projected to have 12 picks, including at least three in the third round, in next year's NFL Draft, which just so happens to be in Pittsburgh.
That's not the reason the Steelers want to have a plethora of picks next year. As I've been reporting for weeks, they have their eyes on a stronger class in 2026, including the potential of making a move to draft a franchise quarterback. That's one of the reasons why they let several free agents leave, hoarding the maximum of four compensatory picks for the 2026 NFL Draft.
"This year we were in a position where it was important for us to acknowledge the fact that we could be in a position to acquire comp picks next year," Khan said. "You guys saw how we did things in the offseason, that was obviously something that was in the back of our minds when we made decisions. We’ll see how it all shakes out during the next phase of this and how much these guys play to determine where those comp picks end up, but that’s something we were obviously cognizant of."
It's not an easy decision to move on from a receiver as talented as Pickens. But, when a third-round pick is enticing enough to pull the plug and repeatedly call it a fresh start, it's indicative of just how much the relationship soured.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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