George Pickens has been moved from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Dallas Cowboys, with former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin sharing the rationale behind this decision. On The Rich Eisen Show, Tomlin stated that the trade was more about Pickens' personal growth than his abilities on the field.
Tomlin recognized Pickens' potential as a top player but expressed concerns regarding his development in aspects beyond performance. He mentioned that the Steelers considered not just statistical output but also the intangible qualities necessary for a player, especially when it comes to handling a significant contract.
ESPN's Dan Graziano noted that other teams showed little interest in offering Pickens a contract when the Cowboys placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on him. This situation has led to speculation that teams are waiting to see if Pickens can evolve into a leadership role.
Tomlin 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." This indicates that while the Steelers had doubts about Pickens' readiness to be a key player, the Cowboys may see potential in him to develop into that role.
