George Pickens' tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers concluded with his trade to the Dallas Cowboys. Former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin recently provided insights into the decision, emphasizing that it was influenced more by Pickens' personal development than his on-field talent.
During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Tomlin noted that while Pickens has the potential to be an outstanding player, the Steelers had concerns about his growth beyond his athletic abilities. He stated, "For us, I just thought, it's not only play. It's development in other areas, intangible areas."
Tomlin highlighted that the intangible qualities of a player become crucial when considering lucrative contract extensions. He explained that such contracts come with additional responsibilities that go beyond just performance statistics.
ESPN insider Dan Graziano raised a question regarding why no team pursued Pickens with an offer sheet when the Cowboys 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 see a future with Pickens, it does not rule out his potential to become a remarkable player elsewhere. He remarked, "A second contract didn’t happen for us with George. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that he's not gonna be a spectacular player."
