Steelers’ George Pickens Revealing That He Feels Responsibility To Step Up As A Leader: “They Will Listen To Me”

The Pittsburgh Steelers experienced a challenging 2023 season with their wide receivers. While Diontae Johnson and George Pickens both made notable contributions on the field, their attitudes also became a concern. At times, both players were criticized for a lack of effort and for making silly comments to the media. Neither managed to step up as a leader during the year, which caused some turmoil within the team.

As a result, the Steelers decided to trade away Johnson in the offseason. Head Coach Mike Tomlin has since expressed confidence that Pickens can rise to the occasion and become a leader in the 2024 season. On the first day of OTAs, Pickens addressed the media and was asked about his responsibility to step up as a leader this season.

In his interview, Pickens acknowledged the importance of leadership and expressed his commitment to taking on a more significant role. He emphasized his desire to support his teammates and help guide the younger players, recognizing that his actions and attitude on and off the field would be crucial to the team’s success.

“I mean yeah, in a certain way. I lead by example, so like, whatever I am doing outside on the field, I think the guys are going to follow. And then I am always going to help them like, ‘You want to do this and you want to do that.’ And they will listen to me.”

Pickens shared insights into his approach to leadership, explaining that while he may not be the loudest voice on the field, he leads by example through his performance. He emphasized that his actions and dedication on the field demonstrate his commitment and serve as his primary means of guiding and inspiring his teammates.

“Me personally, I just go out and show it by my play. I am not really a huge talker, to be honest.”

Pickens has lived up to the hype in his first two seasons, amassing 115 receptions, 1,941 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns. His performance on the field has been outstanding, marked by incredible talent and some remarkable catches. However, his attitude issues at times have concerned Steelers fans.

During the 2023 season, some fans called for Pickens to be benched or traded after he refused to block for running back Jaylen Warren. Some believed this incident highlighted a troubling aspect of his behavior. However, towards the end of the season, Pickens seemed to turn things around, displaying a more positive attitude. He even celebrated the Steelers' Week 18 regular season finale victory, despite having zero targets that game, demonstrating a newfound maturity and team spirit.

If Pickens can maintain the momentum he displayed towards the end of the season, he has the potential for a long and fruitful career in the Steel City. With his remarkable skills, Pickens is poised to step into the role of the true number one wide receiver in 2024.

Steelers' Mike Tomlin Has Faith In George Pickens

The Steelers' wide receivers room has been lacking following the trade of Johnson, but they addressed this by selecting wide receiver Roman Wilson with their third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Roman is expected to play a significant role as a rookie, and Pickens will be tasked with helping to lead and mentor him throughout the season—a responsibility that Tomlin believes Pickens is ready to handle. The Steelers have expressed confidence in Pickens, and it is hoped that his attitude issues from the 2023 season are now behind him.

Tomlin's belief in Pickens underscores the potential the young receiver has to mature and become a pivotal figure in the locker room. As the Steelers look to improve and build a cohesive team for the upcoming season, Pickens’ growth as a leader will be instrumental. Fans and teammates alike will be watching closely to see how he embraces this new challenge and contributes to the Steelers' pursuit of success in 2024.

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