The more time passes, the more it does not appear that the Pittsburgh Steelers will trade George Pickens. Not only is he their bonafide top wide receiver, but there does not appear to be any direct replacement for him.

The Steelers, if they moved on from Pickens, could send him to a litany of places. Adam Rank of NFL.com believes that spot could be the Green Bay Packers, who have been vocal about their need for a true No. 1 wide receiver.

“Here’s another young receiver who could fetch a nice price from a trading partner seeking a true No. 1 pass-catching option,” wrote Rank. “(Right, Green Bay?) Pickens has been inconsistent, but the Steelers have also trotted out a wide assortment of quarterbacks during his first three seasons in the NFL. Having him as the top target for, say, Jordan Love would be huge for Matt LaFleur’s Packers offense. The Steelers also get a chance to avoid an uncomfortable conversation with Pickens when the 2022 second-round pick’s contract is up at the end of the 2025 season. And let’s be completely honest, the Steelers have done a great job over the last few decades of moving on from receivers before issues arise, financial or otherwise,” Rank said.

Pickens’ talent is immense and the Steelers still lack any answers at the wide receiver besides him. So, they either have to move him if they do not want to pay him, or pay him this offseason as he heads into the last year of his contract.

Pickens was inconsistent at times and dealt with issues on the field. He has been embroiled in controversy over the entire season. Even Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged that Pickens needed to ‘grow up,’ but the Steelers remain in a tough spot with Pickens as the only wide receiver of note on the roster.