Talk about a plot twist in the NFL playbook! Russell Wilson‘s journey has been more dramatic than a fourth-quarter Hail Mary pass. Just when he thought he’d plant his roots in Pittsburgh and whisper sweet “hopefully finish my career here” dreams, the football universe had other plans. After what felt like an eternity of NFL free agency limbo, Wilson has found his new home sweet home: the New York Giants!

With a shiny one-year, $21 million contract in hand, Mr. Unlimited is ready to write his next chapter. But here’s the heartstring-tugging part – he’s not just celebrating his win but also feeling a genuine pang of empathy for his former Steelers teammate who might be facing an uncertain future. NFL careers are like unpredictable football trajectories – you never know where the next pass will take you. And Wilson? He’s proving once again that in this game, flexibility and resilience are your best teammates!

Remember the backlash the Steelers’ offensive line got while playing in the Week 18 game against the Bengals? The crowd saw unbelievable misses on the field, mostly by wide receiver George Pickens. In that regular season finale, Pickens caught one pass for no gain and dropped three other throws from his quarterback, Russell Wilson. The entire NFL world got behind the 24-year-old, but only Wilson stood up in support of him.

“I believe in George. I believe in who he is, the player he is. He’s been a star for us all season….I’m not blinking on George. If anyone believes in him, I definitely do.” Russell Wilson expressed his blind faith in the wide receiver. But now that the rumors of him being released are swirling up in the air, the 36-year-old is filled with tears, calling Pickens his “lil bro!”

On Tuesday, after signing with the Giants, Russell Wilson shared a story on his official Instagram account. In this update, he dropped a video clip of their game days, where the QB is seen throwing huge passes to George Pickens, and the receiver? Well, he caught the ball every time Wilson shot at him. Hence, sharing it, the veteran player sent an emotional message for him – “Gunna miss you lil bro! God’s got you!” In addition, the one-time Super Bowl champ hyped up the player by dropping a banger–Stack It Up by Baby Mel.

George Pickens has averaged 16.3 yards per catch under Russell Wilson’s leadership. In 8 games last season, the WR had 33 catches for 537 yards with 3 touchdowns. This offseason, too, when the Steelers signed DK Metcalf to the roster, many thought it would create one of the most talented receiving duos in the sport. But perhaps that might not happen now!

Why Russell Wilson’s star George Pickens might exit the Steelers?

The NFL’s rumor mill is spinning faster than a quarterback’s spiral! George Pickens might be feeling the heat as the Pittsburgh Steelers make some bold moves in their receiving corps. Trading for DK Metcalf isn’t just a transaction – it’s a statement. The team’s passing game is suddenly looking sharper than a freshly sharpened helmet, with potential that hasn’t been seen in years.

Russell Wilson’s faith in Pickens is admirable, but in the cutthroat world of professional football, loyalty can be as fleeting as a perfect spiral. With draft whispers getting louder and Metcalf’s arrival shaking up the depth chart, Pickens finds himself in a high-stakes game of NFL.

However, according to some reports, their similar styles could create problems. With Pickens heading into his contract year and Metcalf locked in long-term, it’s hard to see both staying. Although, for now, a trade isn’t guaranteed, it’s definitely on the table. So, in this case, as per reporter Ray Fittipaldo, the Steelers are eyeing either a receiver or a defensive lineman in the draft.

If they take a WR at No. 21, it might mean Pickens is on the move. If they go defense, they’re likely looking for Cameron Heyward’s eventual replacement. Either way, big decisions are coming. Whatever they choose could define the Steelers’ future. But for now, it’s safe to say that Pickens’s future with the gold and black seems uncertain.

Nevertheless, like Russell Wilson, Pickens’s dad is in full support of his boy. On X, George Pickens Sr. even tried to hype his son, recalling his stints with multiple quarterbacks – “Food for Thought: GP has played with 1 Trubisky, 2 Pickett, 3 Rudolph, 4 Wilson, 5 Fields, 6 ????. All in 3 years. I can appreciate your sanity #14.” He dropped a question mark on QB no. 6 for his son, as the Steelers are also struggling to find a suitable captain for 2025. Well, being a father, he would be a pillar for him, no matter where Pickens goes. But the Steelers might not follow the same ideology.