George Pickens has been traded to the Dallas Cowboys from the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Mike Tomlin has shared his perspective on this decision. During a segment on The Rich Eisen Show, Tomlin indicated that the trade was driven more by Pickens' personal growth than his abilities on the field.
Tomlin recognized Pickens' potential to excel but expressed concerns about his development in aspects beyond performance. He mentioned, "It's not only play. It's development in other areas, intangible areas." This focus on intangible qualities played a crucial role in the Steelers' evaluation of Pickens' future, particularly in light of the expectations that come with a significant second contract.
ESPN insider Dan Graziano noted that there was minimal interest from other teams 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 awaiting evidence of Pickens' maturation as a leader. Tomlin conveyed, "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," suggesting that while the Steelers had doubts about Pickens' readiness for a foundational role, the Cowboys may see promise in his potential to succeed.
