While George Pickens has had an impressive NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the star wide receiver knows he can be even better. But a lot of Pickens' growth will come from who is playing quarterback for the Steelers.
As he prepares for year three in Pittsburgh, Pickens will be catching passes from either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields. It's a changing of the guard after Kenny Pickett primarily held the role for two seasons. Pickens is excited for the change and thinks it'll only help him reach the next level, via Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
“I feel like it can benefit a lot,” Pickens said. “With this type of mindset or scheme, my job is to just get open.”
“I'd probably say 80 percent,” Pickens said of how much of his skillset he has shown off. “I can only go off how the quarterback plays. I could thrive more. The yardage showed it. I should have made the Pro Bowl.”
Pickens gained 1,140 yards through the air in 2023, adding five touchdowns. His 18.1 yards per reception led the entire league. Pickens' yardage and touchdown catches both set new career-highs as the wide receiver has now racked up 1,941 yards and nine touchdowns total in his two years with the Steelers.
Heading into the 2024 campaign, Pickens will have an even greater chance to shine. Not only will Pittsburgh have a new quarterback, but the Steelers traded away Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers. Pickens' already large target share should only improve.
As running back Jaylen Warren watches Pickens grow, he is confident his teammate has what it takes to be one of the best in the NFL.
“I can see that,” Warren said of Pickens' 80 percent usage quip. “With his talent, going into his third year, he can definitely get up there and be one of the best in the league.”
George Pickens' talent is widely seen by both himself and his teammates. But it'll be up to the right quarterback to help him break into the league's upper echelon.
Steelers swap Kenny Pickett for Russell Wilson, Justin Fields
While Pickens didn't call out Kenny Pickett by name, he clearly has been unhappy with the quarterback play over his first two seasons. Pickett appeared in 25 and started 24 out of a potential 34 games during those two campaigns.
In that time, Pickett threw for 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. While he was a first-round pick, the Steelers had had enough and traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles. In turn, they signed Russell Wilson and landed Justin Fields in a trade with the Bears.
Wilson is an NFL veteran, starting 158 games over his 12-year career. He has thrown for 43,653 yards, 334 touchdowns and 106 interceptions. Wilson is a nine-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion. While his time with the Denver Broncos didn't pan out, Wilson is still a respected passer around the league.
Fields – who was a first-round pick himself – saw his time in Chicago falter out after the 2023 campaign. He went 10-28 as a starter over his three seasons, passing for 6,674 yards, 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. Still, Fields showed off his world class athleticism, running for 2,220 yards and 14 scores.
Whoever gets the starting nod – Wilson is the expected starter – is deemed an upgrade in the eyes of the Steelers. George Pickens is counting on him to help both him and the overall Pittsburgh offense improve.
Whatever went on behind closed doors and how their relationship truly unfolded is between Pickett and Pickens. However on the field, it was clear something was off. With a new quarterback plan in replace, Pickens is ready to lock in and prove he is one of the best receivers in the NFL.
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