The Steelers have had a recent history of drafting “problematic” wide receivers and dealing with them. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case with their latest example. Should they cut their losses before it’s too late?

WR George Pickens, Pittsburgh’s 2022 second-round pick, has shown flashes of why he could develop into a top five receiver in the NFL. But his sideline antics and lack of effort on the field are beginning to speak louder than his production.

Pickens is clearly not having the 2023 season he imagined, posting 814 yards and three touchdowns on the year. His struggles have seemingly affected his effort, and in last week’s loss he gave up on a play that would have resulted in a touchdown.

When asked why he didn’t block for RB Jaylen Warren, who came up just shy of the goal line, his answer didn’t provide anyone with hope for his future with the team.

“I was just trying to prevent the Tank Dell situation, the same thing that happened to (him),” Pickens said, via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “I ain’t want to get an injury. When you stay on the block too low, you can get ran up on very easily.”

It’s certainly not what the Steelers or their fans want to here after they have prided themselves on being a physical team for many years, and now some are thinking that trading the Georgia product could be what’s best.

General manager Omar Khan pulled off a great trade last season, dealing WR Chase Claypool to the Bears for the No. 32 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. It’s unlikely he would be able to pull off another one-sided trade like that, but Pickens has shown enough to warrant a day two pick.

Of course, none of this may be coming up if Pittsburgh were winning. At the very least, the Steelers are seeing which players respond to adversity the best. It seems they can rule out Pickens in that group and now have yet another difficult decision to make in the offseason.