Before the draft, there were rumors that Pittsburgh might put Pickens on the trade block after acquiring DK Metcalf from the Seahawks via a trade. After Metcalf arrived in Steel Nation, the rumors started floating that Pickens might be on the move. When asked about it, Steelers GM Omar Khan said, “No. I mean, we’re glad we have George and DK here. I think they’re gonna be exciting for everyone to watch. Excited to have DK here, but no.” But now, things are changing fast.

CeeDee Lamb’s cryptic message on X has once again fueled the Pickens trade rumors. So, what’s all the fuss about? Well, on Tuesday, Cowboys star wideout CeeDee Lamb posted a GIF of Ralph Wiggum waving on X, no caption, no context. Just a simple wave. But it didn’t take long for NFL fans to pick up on the vibe. While Lamb didn’t say a word, the comment section did all the talking.

One after another, fans started replying with GIFs of George Pickens waving back. Coincidence? Maybe. But with all the recent trade buzz around Pickens, this feels a little too on the nose. Could Pickens be heading to Dallas? CeeDee might just know something we don’t.

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The Cowboys have been pretty upfront about one thing: they’re on the hunt for a WR. After skipping out on picking a wideout in the draft, fans were left scratching their heads. Outside of CeeDee Lamb, there’s barely anyone on that roster you’d bet on to carry the load. But Jerry Jones, as always, had something to say to calm the waters. “The train has not left the station,” he told reporters post-draft, hinting that Dallas is still actively exploring options, be it free agency or a trade.

Since then, a bunch of names have started floating around, including their ex-WR Amari Cooper. And in the most playful twist of all, Cowboys legend Michael Irvin threw his name in the mix too… kind of. He posted a gym snap on social media, joking about being ready if Dallas needs a WR. Of course, Irvin isn’t making a real comeback, but fans had fun with it. The message is clear, though: Dallas knows it needs another weapon, and the search is still very much on.

Is George Pickens waving goodbye to Pittsburgh?

George Pickens’ trade rumors first started swirling when Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stirred up a frenzy at a pre-draft press conference. The 82-year-old said, “We’re looking at two things that could happen before or after the draft. Two pretty substantive trades. Been working on [them] today.” And considering Dallas has been actively hunting for a receiver, guess whose name popped up first? None other than George Pickens.

Why did folks think it was possible? One simple reason: DK Metcalf’s surprise arrival in Pittsburgh. With the Steelers adding a big-name target like Metcalf, Pickens, who’s entering the final year of his rookie deal, is naturally eyeing his reward. And yet, there’s been radio silence from Mike Tomlin’s camp about any extension for their young wideout. No talks, no buzz, nothing.

via Imago

That’s exactly why analysts across the league are starting to believe that Jerry Jones might just be plotting a Pickens heist. The trade didn’t happen during the draft, but honestly, that doesn’t mean it’s off the table. According to Underdog’s James Palmer, George Pickens could still be on the move between now and November’s trade deadline.

“I wasn’t really sold on a [George Pickens trade] happening during the [2025] draft,” Palmer told Bleacher Report. “There were a lot of rumors about that, and I understand the rumors because his time in Pittsburgh, in a lot of people’s minds, is limited, mine included, for several reasons. You don’t pay DK Metcalf what you paid him and then pay the other receiver a high-caliber salary.” He isn’t wrong.

Palmer strongly believes trade discussions between Pickens and the Steelers have already taken place behind the scenes. And maybe, just maybe, that’s exactly what CeeDee Lamb’s cryptic little wave on X was hinting at.