Former Steelers Executive Detailed How George Pickens Must Handle Potential Brandon Aiyuk Addition: "Play Out Your Contract, See Ya"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing to head to Latrobe, PA for training camp ahead of the 2024 season. There are still some areas of the roster that need to be worked on, especially at wide receiver. Pittsburgh has been wrapped up in receiver-trade rumors throughout the entire 2024 offseason as there is no real clarity as to who can contribute in that room currently. Behind George Pickens, there are a lot of question marks. One name the Steelers have consistently been attached to is Brandon Aiyuk, who just officially requested a trade.

Pickens has been one of the Steelers’ best offensive players since being drafted in 2022, but he is now entering his first season as a true first option in the passing game. It's unclear how he'll perform with additional defensive attention, and bringing in a guy like Aiyuk could help alleviate that. Doug Whaley, a former executive for the Steelers, went on 93.7 The Fan Wednesday morning and shared how Pickens would need to act if Aiyuk is actually brought in to Pittsburgh.

"If Pickens is a professional, he's going to look at it in two ways. One - this is going to give me a chance to really eat, this is going to give me a chance to get some numbers. So when I'm up, I'm going to get paid. Either from the Steelers or someone else, because people are going to focus on Brandon Aiyuk. If he looks at it any other way, then you don't need him. He's not the type of player you want on your team, in your locker room, or that's going to be successful, if he is worried about someone else."

Whaley was a long time executive for the Steelers, and also served as the general manager of the Buffalo Bills afterwards. He has a fair amount of experience with players, contracts, and overall relations within in a team. He emphasized that Pickens would need to look at Aiyuk coming in as an opportunity, not a threat.

"All stud players, and wide receivers, are going to sit there and say, 'I'm going to get mine, and actually, this guy is going to help me get mine. And guess what Steelers? You better sign me soon, because if not, you're going to have to pay double. Because you could've have gotten me cheap.' That's how I would want him to respond. If he responds any other way, play out your contract, see ya."

Pickens showed some diva-like traits during the 2023 season. There was an instant where he didn't celebrate Diontae Johnson's first touchdown in over a year, and overall bad body language when he wasn't as involved as he wanted to be in the passing game. This is why Pickens’ behavior should be a concern if Aiyuk is brought into the fold.

Steelers Need To Pay Pickens After The 2024 Season

Pickens becomes available for a contract extension after the 2024 season is over, and with how he has played so far in his career, he has earned it. But if he reacts poorly to a situation where the Steelers bring in Aiyuk, or another receiver, then the organization should start to question whether or not a potential extension is worth it.

A lot of resources would be poured into acquiring a player like Aiyuk. The draft capital up front, and then the cost to sign him to a new deal. He would clearly become the priority in the receiver room. If Pickens can accept that, it would be extremely beneficial for him — using Aiyuk's presence to his own benefit. Aiyuk would take the defensive attention away from Pickens, which would allow him to put up numbers. Then, the Steelers would be forced to offer him a big extension after the 2024 season, or risk him entering free agency after 2025.

What do you think of Whaley's comments about Pickens? Let us know in the comments below!

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