Back in 2015, Davante Adams was dropping throws like he was allergic to them. Fans were pissed, media was louder—but Aaron Rodgers? He saw something. He kept throwing to him, even when critics questioned it. They’d text constantly about routes, timing, and body language, like two guys cramming for a final. Fast forward a few years, and Adams turns into Rodgers’ go-to guy, leading the league in TDs in 2020.

That trust wasn’t instant—it was built rep by rep, season by season. You can just say that Rodgers needs receivers who earn his confidence the hard way. But now that the Adams has packed his bags to leave for Los Angeles, and Rodgers is expected to sign a deal with the Steelers, things are getting pretty interesting for the four-time MVP.

For the past few months, there have been speculations, theories, and rumors that both parties are on the same side and a deal between the Steelers and Aaron Rodgers is at the table. But the questions are rising: who’s going to be Rodgers’ WR1? See, the Steelers had a dynamic duo of DK Metcalf and George Pickens. And the last time we checked, Rodgers had a throwing session with Metcalf as well. The kicker?

Well, a couple of days ago, Pittsburgh traded Pickens to the Cowboys in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder. And that changes the whole scenario for Rodgers‘ possible arrival in Pittsburgh. Sure, Pickens wasn’t the most technical or consistent route runner, and of course, Mike Tomlin told him to mature. But as per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, “Steelers made his (Rodgers) job harder on Sundays without Pickens on the roster.” Translation?

Well, Rodgers is super picky—pre-snap, post-snap, doesn’t matter. The four-time MVP wants his receivers to line up right, seeing the defense like he does, and ready to switch things up on the fly. Now, with one less receiver (if he signs with Pittsburgh), his job is kind of tough. But let’s not sugarcoat this. Because yeah, it’s not really as straightforward as it looks.

In fact, as per beat writer Ray Fittipaldo Mike Tomlin’s move to trade Pickens won’t affect a potential deal between Rodgers and the Steelers. Why? Well, Fittipaldo believes that Rodgers is okay with Pickens’ trade. “Aaron Rodgers likes detail with his receivers. He likes his receivers to run patterns a certain way… I think he’s probably okay with it,” he noted.

Besides, Pickens’ trade could open the door for Rodgers to bring his crew to Pittsburgh along with him. We’re talking about Allen Lazard and Romeo Doubs. “Don’t be surprised if the Steelers try to get somebody who has a history with Aaron Rodgers,” Fittipaldo continued. “And I wouldn’t expect that before Aaron signs, but I think after it becomes official, he does sign. There are guys who played with him with the Jets, with the Packers, who might be available.”

So yeah, Pickens’ trade definitely raised some questions over Aaron Rodgers’ future with the Steelers, but at the end of the day, it’s safe to say that the man could get his receiving corps in Pittsburgh—of course, if he signs a deal. Meanwhile, Pickens seems excited to play in Dallas alongside CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott.

George Pickens isn’t focusing on his contract year

The Cowboys and their knack for snagging a wide receiver. The last time it happened was back in 2018 when they scooped up Amari Cooper in exchange for a first-round pick, and the guy lit up for the next three seasons in America’s team. Fast forward to now, and Jerry Jones pushed the trade button one more time. This time, it’s for George Pickens.

Ahead of the 2025 NFL draft, the rumor mill was buzzing that the Steelers would trade Pickens. But once the draft was over, it seemed like Pittsburgh wasn’t interested in a trade just now. But as earlier reports revealed, Mike Tomlin pushed for Pickens’ trade to the Cowboys and the Dallas team acquired the fourth-year wideout in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. And that means only one thing.

Pickens is now entering his contract year, and the Cowboys will have to address his contract at one point or another. But Pickens? Well, the 24-year-old wideout isn’t much concerned about the contract talks. “I’m kind of where my feet are right now, to be honest,” Pickens said Thursday. “I’m not really thinking about contract talks, I’m just glad to be here at Cowboys right now, you know, trying to build a winning culture.”

Pickens arrived in Dallas from Pittsburgh’s winning culture with no franchise QB on the roster. Now, in Dallas, he’ll do route-running for the Cowboys’ franchise QB, Prescott, alongside Lamb. With Lamb being the WR1, Prescott might not connect much with him, but for the time being, Pickens is just excited to play side-by-side with Lamb. “Oh, it excites me a lot,” Pickens said of playing alongside Lamb.

“In the game of football, we can work off each other. There’s no, ‘Oh, he gets the [foot]ball, I get the [foot]ball’ — we’re working off each other. That’s why I always come back to, you know, building a winning culture and that’s kind of what we’ve been talking about in Dallas.” With that being said, the Cowboys’ concern to sign a WR2 to complement Lamb has now ended. As for the Steelers… well, they’re still stuck over Aaron Rodgers’ signing.