The Pittsburgh Steelers just lately shocked followers by buying and selling extensive receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, a transfer that prompted fast reactions from many analysts.
Former Steelers security Ryan Clark initially jumped to conclusions in regards to the commerce’s motivation earlier than publicly strolling again his feedback.
After his first take recommended character issues drove the choice, Clark took a second to replicate and supplied a candid apology on his podcast “The Pivot.”
He acknowledged dashing to judgment about each Pickens and his former coach, Mike Tomlin.
“I’m disillusioned in myself right this moment,” Clark mentioned. “This morning, I wasn’t presupposed to work on Get Up, however I came upon that George Pickens was going to be traded to the Dallas Cowboys. And instantly, my thought was, ‘Rattling, any individual so gifted, they have to be bored with coping with the character.’ And I fell into the identical factor that every one the individuals who really don’t know this child falls into, and I additionally felt like I slighted George and I slighted Mike T – Mike T, who doesn’t run away from teaching.”
I jumped the gun this morning on George Pickens. I instantly jumped to the low hanging fruit that the Steelers traded the extremely gifted receiver due to his conduct, however that’s disrespectful on two fronts. It might really be an indictment on George Pickens and Mike… pic.twitter.com/UdxufZqa9u
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) Could 8, 2025
Clark expanded his self-correction, noting he failed to contemplate enterprise elements possible driving the commerce, notably with Pickens coming into the ultimate yr of his rookie contract.
The previous security admitted he ought to have given extra credit score to Tomlin’s confirmed observe document of growing gamers by difficult durations.
His reflection went deeper concerning Pickens himself.
Whereas acknowledging the receiver has made questionable on-field choices, Clark emphasised his private interactions revealed a younger man with real character and optimistic power.
The analyst in the end concluded his preliminary response lacked equity each to the Steelers group he respects and to a gifted younger participant nonetheless discovering his manner within the league.
The commerce represents one other daring transfer by the Cowboys, who proceed reshaping their receiving corps forward of the upcoming season whereas the Steelers transfer ahead with their offensive reconstruction.
NEXT: George Pickens Breaks Silence On Being Traded To Cowboys