The Baltimore Ravens spurned the Dallas Cowboys, which led directly to the Pittsburgh Steelers — a fierce division rival — getting significantly worse.

The Steelers nearly held onto George Pickens as the Cowboys first looked into acquiring a different AFC North receiver.

The Dallas Cowboys explored a trade for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman before ultimately acquiring Pittsburgh's George Pickens, according to Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz. Their search for a receiver to pair with CeeDee Lamb was a “months-long process,” per Schultz.