George Pickens' tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers concluded with a trade to the Dallas Cowboys. Former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin provided insights into this decision, emphasizing that it was influenced more by Pickens' personal growth than his on-field talent.
During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Tomlin stated that while Pickens had the potential to become an exceptional player, the Steelers were concerned about his development in areas beyond just playing ability. "For us, I just thought, it's not only play," Tomlin said, highlighting the importance of intangible qualities in a player’s overall development.
Tomlin noted that these intangible factors were particularly significant when considering the responsibilities that accompany a lucrative second contract. He explained that such contracts entail more than just statistical performance, which raised questions about Pickens' readiness to take on that role.
ESPN insider Dan Graziano also raised a point regarding why no other team pursued Pickens when Dallas placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on him. Many believe that teams are waiting to see if Pickens can mature into a leader.
Tomlin acknowledged that while the Steelers did not extend a second contract to Pickens, it does not diminish his potential to excel as a player. He stated, "That didn't happen for us with George. But that doesn't necessarily mean that he's not gonna be a spectacular player."
