Ahead of the 2026 NFL season, former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach and new NBC NFL analyst Mike Tomlin has been doing the media rounds, as NBC gets ready for season No. 21 of Sunday Night Football. Appearing on The Rich Eisen Show, Tomlin and the titular host discussed a variety of topics, including to the polarizing decision Pittsburgh made to trade star receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys last May.

“For us, I just thought, it’s not only play. It’s development in other areas, intangible areas. I think when you’re a high dollar, second-contract guy, I think there’s some leadership responsibilities, and things of that nature. And I just don’t feel like that was in his natural wheelhouse. We felt better about DK’s abilities in those areas.”

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Tomlin also noted that the Cowboys have been seemingly hesitant to give Pickens a second contract.

“[A second contract] didn’t happen for us with George,” Tomlin said. “But that doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s not gonna be a spectacular player. I think he’s already proven that to a degree with his first year in Dallas. But there’s also been something that stopped Dallas from making that long-term commitment to him, as well…”

The Steelers selected Pickens in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Georgia, where he immediately showcased the ability to make spectacular catches and big plays, but on and off-field antics were constant. From being late to meetings and games to several on-field fights and tantrums, the Steelers decided to trade away the budding star, who went on to have an All-Pro season in 2025 with the Cowboys.

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