George Pickens' tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers concluded with his trade to the Dallas Cowboys, a move that former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin attributes to concerns about the receiver's personal development rather than his on-field talent.
In an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Tomlin provided insights into why Pickens was not part of Pittsburgh's long-term plans. He stated that while Pickens has always had the potential to be an exceptional player, the Steelers were uncertain about his growth in areas beyond just his performance during games. Tomlin emphasized the importance of intangible qualities in a player's development.
"For us, I just thought, it's not only play," Tomlin said. "It's development in other areas, intangible areas."
Tomlin pointed out that when considering a lucrative second contract, teams look for players who can take on responsibilities beyond just statistics. This perspective raises questions about why no other teams pursued Pickens when Dallas placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on him. ESPN insider Dan Graziano noted that teams may want to see Pickens mature as a leader before committing.
Tomlin acknowledged that while the Steelers did not sign Pickens to a second contract, it does not preclude him from becoming a standout player in the future. "That didn't happen for us with George. But that doesn't necessarily mean that he's not gonna be a spectacular player," he stated.
