Steelers’ GM Khan: Pickens business ‘made sense’

PITTSBURGH — Days after buying and selling famous person vast receiver George Pickens to the Cowboys for a 2026 third-round select and a 2027 fifth-round select, Steelers normal supervisor Omar Khan defended the transfer, pronouncing Friday that it “made sense for everyone.”

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

Pickens did not request a business, Khan stated, including that the deal got here in combination “quickly.”

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

Khan added that he did not view Pickens’ three-year tenure in Pittsburgh as a “disappointment” in spite of Pickens’ time being punctuated via a number of incidents of immature habits.

“I wouldn’t use the word ‘disappointment,'” Khan stated. “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 convention name Thursday, Pickens stated he wasn’t excited about how he will have accomplished issues another way whilst in Pittsburgh.

“I can’t really say that,” Pickens stated. “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 business stored the Steelers from recouping draft alternatives and a possible rookie vast receiver from this 12 months’s magnificence, Khan stated he felt assured within the Steelers’ ultimate receivers.

The staff prior to now got Seattle receiver DK Metcalf in a blockbuster business at the eve of loose company and lately signed veteran receiver Robert Woods to a one-year deal. The pair sign up for a gaggle that still comprises 2022 fourth-round select Calvin Austin III and 2024 third-round select Roman Wilson.

“We wouldn’t have done this if we didn’t feel good about the receiver situation, about our depth here,” Khan stated. “I know people make the comparison about last year; it’s not even close to being the same.”

A 12 months in the past, the Steelers closely pursued a business for 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk so as to add intensity to their corps of Pickens, Austin, Wilson, Scotty Miller and Van Jefferson. Wilson ignored lots of the season with lingering accidents that started in coaching camp.

“Obviously, we made the investment with DK,” Khan stated, explaining the adaptation in 2024 and 2025. “We’ve had another year with some of the young guys and gotten to know them, watched them develop. We added Robert Woods. Roman is healthy. … Obviously, he didn’t get the chance to get on the field, but there was some excitement there.

“We have a just right crew. There’s some guys which are again. And we’ve got observed their enlargement and feature some other 12 months below our belt with them and be ok with it.”

Khan didn’t rule out the possibility of adding another veteran wide receiver to the roster to backfill the now-vacant WR2 spot, but he reiterated his comfort in the group currently on the roster.

“If there is a chance so as to add a playmaker in offense, irrespective of whether or not it is a receiver or anyplace it’s, we are going to glance into it,” he said. “And if it is sensible, it is sensible. But there is at all times just right avid gamers to be had.

“There’s good players out there. If we wanted to add some people, we could, but we feel comfortable with them.”