Steelers Trade Pitch Swaps Disgruntled Superstar Wide Receivers

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered training camp in search of their WR2 after they traded away Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in the offseason.

Third-year wide receiver George Pickens was expected to be the Steelers' top target on offense, as the 2022 second-round pick was coming off a team-leading 1,140-yard, five-touchdown receiving season in 2023.

Pickens was visibly frustrated in the Steelers' 20-17 loss at home in Week 5. Wearing eye black with an explicit message that stated he was open all the time, the receiver was limited to three receptions for 26 yards. Head coach Mike Tomlin chose to give him a smaller snap count against the Cowboys than Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin.

The former Georgia standout has 310 receiving yards but no touchdowns entering Week 6.

Dan Graziano of ESPN has a trade swap in mind to get the disgruntled wide receiver out of Pittsburgh. He suggested on Thursday that the Steelers could swap Pickens to the Las Vegas Raiders for All-Pro receiver Davante Adams, as Pittsburgh has an interest in the former star of the Green Bay Packers.

"(Pittsburgh's) top receiver is George Pickens, whose reduced snap count in Sunday night's loss is an indication he doesn't have the full trust of the coaching staff, and they're ultra-thin behind him," Graziano wrote.

"Adams would immediately slot in as their No. 1 wide receiver, and they'll do what they can to find out if they can get him. A couple of people -- not people connected with the Steelers, just outside observers -- suggested the idea of a Pickens-for-Adams trade, and you have to admit it's interesting."

Adams has missed the Raiders' previous two games due to a hamstring issue. Through his first three games of the season, the 31-year-old receiver caught 18 passes for 209 yards and one touchdown.

One question has to be asked about this trade idea. Would the discontented receivers in play be happy going to teams with questions at quarterback?

Pickens would be going to a Raiders team that had a quarterback battle between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell this week. Adams would be going to an offense that could replace Justin Fields for Russell Wilson soon.

Both teams will have an opportunity to see the respective receivers up close when the Steelers travel to play the Raiders on Sunday.

Related: Steelers WR George Pickens Takes Unexpected Cheap Shot at Cowboys Player After Loss