Category: George Pickens

How does Mike Tomlin feel about George Pickens taking on a leadership role in 2024?

Steelers WR George Pickens is expected to take on more of a leadership role in the 2024 season.

History dictates the Pittsburgh Steelers will select at least one wide receiver in this week’s NFL draft. In the past decade, there have only been two instances where Pittsburgh hasn’t taken one.

2023 was a rare time when the Steelers didn’t draft a receiver, with George Pickens and Calvin Austin being the last ones snapped up in 2022.

With Diontae Johnson now in a new home with the Carolina Panthers, Pickens is expected to step into the No. 1 role.

“We’re really comfortable with the trajectory of George Pickens in terms of what he’s going to be able to provide us as a player, not only in terms of playmaking but what his experience within the room and within this organization provides us,” Mike Tomlin said of his receiver taking on more of a leadership role.

Overall, Tomlin claims to be comfortable with the wide receiver room as it currently stands.

“I’m comfortable with the trajectory of that room,” Tomlin said. “The guys come in readymade there’s a lot of talent available.”

He pointed out that there is always plenty of talent later in the draft. “If you look at the kid from the Rams (Puka Nacua) was really significant this year. I think maybe he was a fifth-round pick. That’s what’s going on in that position. So, it makes us all comfortable, not just us, but us as a collective of the National Football League.”

There is still a chance that the Steelers could trade for a veteran receiver. Given his problematic past, the thought of Pickens being the No. 1 guy should give Steelers Nation anxiety.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

George Pickens not among Steelers pass catchers that joined Russell Wilson for throwing drills

Steelers WR George Pickens was among the missing when players met up with Russell Wilson for throwing drills.

On a recent episode of Around the 412, Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth revealed that some receivers joined Russell Wilson in San Diego for throwing drills.

With the team’s offseason workouts beginning April 15, Wilson wanted to get a jumpstart on building a rapport with his pass-catchers. Only their current No. 1 was not among them.

Freiermuth shared that he, Calvin Austin III and new Steeler Van Jefferson went out west — but no George Pickens. He didn’t single him out, but the fact that he wasn’t there is concerning.

Pickens may have had a good reason for not being there, but he should’ve made every effort to be. The two have zero experience together, and building chemistry should be a top priority. You’d think he’d be eager to meet him and get something going.

In Arthur Smith‘s offense, Pickens could have a breakout year. Smith loves drawing up sideline pass plays, which should feed into Pickens’ love for showing off his acrobatic athleticism. But they’ll have to wait to see what that looks like.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

WR George Pickens put on notice by Steelers’ offseason moves

Steelers GM Omar Khan set a precedent that the franchise is done dealing with entitled players who feel they’re above the team.

It’s been a whirlwind offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers — one like we’ve never seen before. General manager Omar Khan dismantled the quarterback room and revamped it with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.

Khan also made a couple of other significant roster-altering moves, sending Diontae Johnson to Carolina and Kenny Pickett to Philadelphia. His actions spoke louder than words by establishing a precedent that the franchise is done dealing with entitled players who feel they’re above the Steelers.

George Pickens is one of those players, and if he wants to remain a Steeler, he’d better shape up or he’ll be shipped out.

Pickens, 23, displayed character unbecoming of representing the black and gold last season, throwing sideline tantrums and hurting drives with taunting penalties.

As Pickens prepares for his third season with a vastly different offense around him, he might want to work on the attitude because the trade deadline isn’t until October.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers WR George Pickens fined for taunting vs Bengals

George Pickens drew a big fine for a small play in last week’s game.

Last week Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens had his best game as a professional and was living his best life on the field. According to the NFL, he was living a little too good as they handed down a big fine to Pickens for a taunt during one of his two long touchdowns.

Pickens caught touchdowns of 86 and 66 yards on Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals. On the 66-yarder, Pickens turned back to stare down the Cincinnati defense the last three yards of his run and it cost him $16,391 for it.

This week Pickens and the rest of the Steelers hope to see more of him celebrating huge touchdowns as the Steelers take on the Seattle Seahawks in a must-win game. On the season, Pickens has 56 catches for 1,0009 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. Pickens also has one rushing touchdown.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

The conundrum of Steelers wide receiver George Pickens

George Pickens is a great teammate as long as things are going his way.

Last week, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens had his best game as a pro. The timing of it couldn’t be more interesting as it came after several poor games where Pickens was under fire for lack of effort and his commitment to the team.

But last Saturday’s game really gave us a lot of unpack about Pickens and created something of a problem Pittsburgh will need to contend with going forward.

Pickens looked like a great player and teammate after catching two long touchdowns. He was smiling and upbeat, celebrating with teammates.

So what happens when things don’t go his way? The reality is every week isn’t going to be four catches for 195 rushing yards. If the only way Pickens can be happy is by being productive, will everyone just have to handle his emotional roller coaster or can he grow from this and learn to live with great games and poor ones?

Pickens has 56 receptions for 1,009 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. The Steelers have two games left for him to build on this but if the team falters down the stretch and has nothing left to play for, will we see the darker side of Pickens come out again?

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers’ Jaylen Warren, George Pickens mend fences over missed block

Will George Pickens do his job this week?

Last week against the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens made a business decision to hang back on a play rather than block for teammate Jaylen Warren. The play might have resulted in a touchdown, but Warren was stopped just short.

Pickens said he was concerned about getting hurt and that was why he opted not to do his job. When Warren was asked about it, he said that if the roles were reversed, he would have blocked for Pickens.

But it seems Warren and Pickens have made peace. According to Mike Nicastro, host of “The Jaylen Warren Show” podcast, Warren and Pickens talked about it, and Pickens assured Warren if it comes up again, he will block for him.

The very notion that this conversation had to happen is the height of absurdity and a microcosm of the Steelers’ season. Players simply choosing not to do what they are paid to do, and then publicly pinkie-promising they will next time, is asinine.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin offers typical reason to not bench George Pickens

After George Pickens’ 2nd consecutive game where he glaringly quit on two plays, there was speculation as to whether he’d be appropriately disciplined with a benching.

After George Pickens’ second consecutive game where he glaringly quit on two plays, there was speculation as to whether he’d be appropriately disciplined with a benching.

Mike Tomlin addressed the media in an impromptu presser today in which he claimed Pickens would be dealt with but not in a manner that he’ll share with the media — and benching him isn’t it.

“He’s got talents. We want to utilize him,” Tomlin said. “He’s very much in growth and development, but it’d be the same if we were winning games or if he said appropriate things with you guys yesterday. You guys might have gone away, but that wouldn’t make me any more comfortable about this process he’s going through. It will continue to require our attention.”

So, Pickens is a big (talented) baby and will be a continuous burden on the Steelers because Tomlin won’t address the issue. Got it.

Tomlin needs to deactivate George Pickens if he truly wants to send a message because whatever he’s said (if anything) has fallen on deaf ears.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

NFL analyst calls Steelers WR George Pickens the worst of the week

George Pickens isn’t making any fans with his lack of effort.

Talking about the effort of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens has become an all-too-common occurrence this season. Pickens highlights have become a microcosm of the Steelers entire season with his lack of effort and heart on the field.

How bad did it get for Pickens last week? Pickens had two separate plays in the team’s 30-13 loss that continue to facilitate the perception that when things aren’t going his way, he is going to put forth zero effort.

These plays caught the eye of NFL analyst Doug Farrar. He was on the Four Down Territory Podcast with Kyle Madson and Madson asked Farrar what his worst of the week was and of course, it was Pickens.

Pickens cannot complain when he comes under this level of scrutiny when he puts his lack of effort on bold display week after week. He either needs to learn to accept that if he’s not going to play hard, people are going to criticize him for it or he can grow up and play like he’s part of a team.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

George Pickens tries to slam critics, former NFL player will have none of it

George Pickens made a business decision on a play and Dorin Dickerson let him know.

When an NFL player is struggling or having issues and comes under scrutiny from the media or the fanbase, one of the oldest and least effective arguments players make is the “you don’t play so you don’t know” argument.

This is what Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens tried to do when the video of him once again failing to put forth effort on the field went viral on social media.

Pickens made a business decision, by his own admission, when he chose not to help running back Jaylen Warren score in last week’s game on a run near the goal line. Pickens said he was concerned about being hurt and if you don’t play, you can’t comment because you don’t understand.

Enter Dorin Dickerson. Dickerson is a national treasure and should be protected at all costs. Dickerson played three seasons in the NFL after a stellar career at Pitt. He took to Twitter to drop the hammer on Pickens when he tried to play the “you didn’t play” card.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]