What happened: The Steelers traded George Pickens to the Cowboys last May for a package that included a 2026 third-round pick, which Pittsburgh used on quarterback Drew Allar. Pickens caught 93 passes for nine touchdowns in his first season in Dallas and earned Second-Team All-Pro honors. The trade fully settles next April, when Pittsburgh adds a 2027 fifth-round pick and Dallas gets a 2027 sixth.

Why it matters: League executives and scouts voted Pickens the No. 7 wide receiver in the NFL, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, while DK Metcalf caught just 59 passes in Pittsburgh this season. Paired with Dak Prescott in one of the league's more dynamic offenses, Pickens' immediate breakout has sharpened scrutiny of the deal Pittsburgh made.

What to watch: Watch how the Pickens-Prescott connection carries into the postseason as Dallas positions for a playoff run.