Steelers' GM Khan: Pickens trade 'made sense for everyone' - ESPN

PITTSBURGH — Days after trading star wide receiver George Pickens to the Cowboys for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, Steelers general manager Omar Khan defended the move, saying Friday it «made sense for everyone.»

«We just kind of talked about it, lots of serious conversation, honest conversations,» Khan said. «And we just felt that a fresh start for both sides was the right thing.»

Pickens didn't request a trade, Khan said, adding that the deal came together «quickly.»

«We had some people inquire during the draft, nothing that really made sense,» he said. «The Cowboys reached out earlier this week, and they proposed something for us to think about.»

Khan added that he didn't view Pickens' three-year tenure in Pittsburgh as a «disappointment» despite Pickens' time being punctuated by several incidents of immature conduct.

«I wouldn't use the word disappointment,» Khan said. «You know we had three years with George, and you know we had some exciting times, but you know, it's just time for the fresh start. For both sides, it was the right thing.»

Speaking to Dallas media in a conference call Thursday, Pickens said he wasn't thinking about how he could have done things differently while in Pittsburgh.

«I can't really say that,» Pickens said. «I'm more of like a, be where I'm at right now, where my feet at, so can't even really think about it in the past. I'm just glad to be a Cowboy.» Though the timing of the trade kept the Steelers from recouping draft picks and a potential rookie wide receiver from this year's class, Khan said he felt confident in the Steelers' remaining receivers.

The team previously acquired Seattle receiver DK Metcalf in a blockbuster trade on the eve of free agency and recently