With the 2025 NFL Draft on the horizon, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has emerged as one of the most talked-about names in trade rumors.

The 23-year-old receiver made more noise this week when he unfollowed the Steelers on Instagram, creating speculation about his future in the Steel City.

Pickens' Name Circulates in Trade Talks

NFL Trade Rumors: George Pickens Unfollows Steelers on Instagram During
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FOX Sports' insider Jordan Schultz, citing league executives, says Pickens' name has been mentioned during pre-draft trade talks. The fact that he unfollowed Steelers on Instagram could mean that "something" is brewing between the organization and the young player.

Pittsburgh is not actively dealing with the former Georgia standout, but league executives are keeping his situation close, Schultz reported, labeling him "a name to watch" on the eve of the draft, which begins Thursday in Green Bay.

Pickens is in the last season of his rookie deal, so he's a highly coveted player for teams looking for a big-play receiver with no long-term cap obligation, at least for the time being.

Strong Stats, Stock on the Rise

Even after suffering from an injury the previous season, Pickens played in 14 games and made 59 receptions for 900 yards and three touchdowns. During 2023, he emerged as one of the NFL's best deep threats, registering 1,140 yards and five touchdowns. His 18.1 yards per catch led the league that year, making him a vertical threat with elite upside, according to YardBarker.

Steelers GM Offers Optimism. But Keeps Contract Talks Quiet

Steelers general manager Omar Khan provided a cautious but upbeat perspective when queried regarding Pickens at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

"I had a really solid exit meeting with GP, and I can tell you that he has a desire to be great," Khan said. "He has a desire to be great here. We have a desire for him to be great and to be great here, with respect to the contract. We won't discuss that publicly, and usually those things are addressed at a later date."

However, Khan stopped short of confirming any contract negotiations, saying those discussions are typically kept private and handled during the offseason.

DK Metcalf Joins Pittsburgh, Adding to WR Drama

The Steelers drew headlines earlier in the offseason when they traded for star wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks.

Metcalf signed a five-year contract upon his arrival in Pittsburgh, raising questions about whether the franchise is retooling its receiving corps and whether Pickens is a part of those long-term plans.

If Pickens chooses not to continue with the Steelers for his final year, Pittsburgh has a lot of options to consider. First, they could sign Aaron Rodgers, but the veteran's indecisiveness will mean a long waiting game for the team. Second, they could consider signing Kirk Cousins as part of their Plan B if Rodgers lands on another team.