The Pittsburgh Steelers’ surprise trade of wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys was reportedly driven by head coach Mike Tomlin, according to new reporting by team insider Mark Kaboly.

Despite leading the Steelers in receiving yards during the 2024 season, Pickens was sent to Dallas on Wednesday along with a 2027 sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2026 third-rounder and a 2027 fifth.

The move raised eyebrows after Pittsburgh made no significant upgrades to its receiving corps during the 2025 draft.

But sources now suggest the decision came from Tomlin, who had grown frustrated with the 24-year-old wideout.

Kaboly shared on X (formerly Twitter) that the Steelers coach, who had previously defended Pickens through multiple off-field issues, was ready to “end the rehabilitation project a year early.”

He added, “Make no mistake about it, Tomlin is the one who decided.”

Neither Pickens nor general manager Omar Khan reportedly initiated the deal.

While talented, the Georgia product was entering a contract year, and there were internal concerns he could become a distraction—especially as the team continues to pursue veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

A potential clash of personalities between Rodgers and Pickens may have factored into Tomlin’s thinking.

The trade also follows the Steelers’ acquisition of DK Metcalf earlier in the offseason, a move that would have reduced Pickens’s role in the offence regardless. With Tomlin reportedly ready to move on, the front office executed the deal quickly.

Pickens, still regarded as a high-upside receiver, now joins a Dallas team looking to bolster its receiving depth. The Cowboys will hope a change of scenery helps the young playmaker find consistency as he approaches a pivotal year in his career.