George Pickens was once the Steelers‘ receiver room’s crown jewel. Soft hands, amazing body control, and a flair for the drama, both on and off the field, make him a walking highlight reel. Still, he got cut off like other WRs on the Steelers roster. After all, this wasn’t the first time the Steelers were going down this path: Antonio Brown, Chase Claypool, and Martavis Bryant. The Steelers traded all these talented wide receivers with explosive timelines. However, Pittsburgh had Pickens back as a player. They absorbed the increasing discomfort in the locker room, ate the fines for finger guns, the eye black, and protected him during sideline outbursts.

While the front office kept the PR machine running with ambiguous statements like “he’s got to grow up,” Mike Tomlin performed the role of firefighter-in-chief. All in the name of the upside. But then came the DK Metcalf trade. Followed by an Aaron Rodgers, 1-year, last dance deal. Suddenly, upside wasn’t enough. So, Pickens had to go. More like, he wanted out. The trade happened on May 7. Pickens goes to Dallas. The Pittsburgh fan base attempted to move on, with some in disbelief and others in celebration. Right up until this week. Pickens’ decision to leave a Pittsburgh youth football camp added more than just fire.

Pickens didn’t just ghost the Steelers. He ghosted the up-and-coming ballers, too. After the Cowboys traded for him in early May, Pickens reportedly promised he’d still attend his youth football camp in Pittsburgh on June 28. TruEdge Sports, the organizers, acknowledged that Pickens’ staff said, “We were promptly assured that George remained committed to the camp and intended to show up for the families who had registered.” Families received confirmation. They sold tickets. Then he disappeared.

TruEdge learnt last week that George Pickens had pulled the plug. No justification or apology. To their credit, TruEdge scrambled. Pat Freiermuth, a TE with the Steelers, took over. So, they have now rescheduled it for July 20.

“We are determined for this event to be a wonderful experience for you all. As soon as we were informed of George’s decision, our team went to preserve this event. We’re pleased to share that Steelers Tight End Pat Freiermuth has officially committed to stepping in as a guest for this camp. Additionally, we are actively in talks with multiple other Steelers players and fully intend to build out an exciting lineup that delivers value to every family,” the official statement from the organizers read while also reassuring them the potential of some new players coming to the camp as well.

More so, TruEdge didn’t mince words either. According to their statement, Pickens’ choice demonstrated “disregard for the families and children” and a “disappointing lack of accountability.” They were caught off guard and said, “Let us say again, we are incredibly frustrated by George Pickens’ lack of professionalism and his decision to abandon the commitment he personally confirmed after his trade.”

But Pickens? He has been busy chirping at random X users. He can’t stop making up new drama about his Pittsburgh days, even after he ordered the public to stop “reminiscing” about them. There is more to this than a broken promise. And in a city that values devotion, diligence, and being on time, Pickens just gave them every reason to never welcome him back. But now, here’s where things go from dramatic to downright conspiratorial.

Did the Steelers ship out George Pickens just to keep Aaron Rodgers happy?

The George Pickens trade shocked fans. But maybe it was a deliberate maneuver. And no, not by Mike Tomlin. Not by GM Omar Khan. But by the NFL’s unofficial GM, Aaron Rodgers. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Pickens’ reputation for immaturity played a major role in the trade, but it was Pittsburgh’s pursuit of Rodgers that truly iced it. The evaluation? Pickens and Rodgers “probably would not hit it off.” Translation: Rodgers doesn’t do volatile receivers.

So instead of watching Pickens throw fits on the sideline while Rodgers did his usual postgame psychobabble, the Steelers chose vibes over volatility. DK Metcalf in. Pickens out. And Dallas, waiting in the wings, pounced.

This leads us to this irony: To prevent drama, Aaron Rodgers, whom people have accused of being the drama king for a decade, may have ended another drama. The idea that Rodgers will represent an upgrade over Pickens in the areas of unselfishness and maturity does not wash, as Cowboys insider Mike Fisher so clearly stated. And yet, it worked. He also added, “In my 40 years of covering the NFL. The all-time leader in ‘Drama Queening’ is Aaron Rodgers.”

But now the Cowboys have a legit one-two punch at WR with Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. The offense of Brian Schottenheimer suddenly became more vertical. Now, defenses must choose their poison. And Pickens? He gets to perform in a city that honors fearless individuals—until they start missing camps.