The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense has been brutal to watch for several seasons now. One of the only shining spots on that offense has been the production of wide receiver George Pickens. However, at just 23 years old, Pickens has raised concerns among fans and even the organization about how he conducts himself both on and off the field. His attitude has sometimes seemed at odds with the team's overall approach, leading many to question if he's truly happy in Pittsburgh.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' George Pickens after being ruled down against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024.
The majority of Pickens' issues stem from being trapped in a struggling offensive scheme that doesn't cater to his strengths. In 2024, fans saw glimpses of his potential as he took steps forward, but also struggled with inconsistency in how he handled himself. His ability to make big plays remained evident, but his frustrations appeared to grow as the offense continued to falter, leaving many wondering if his full potential could ever be reached in this system.
A report surfaced on Tuesday revealing that Pickens was 35 minutes late to the Christmas Day game against the Kansas City Chiefs, raising even more questions about his commitment. When asked about the incident, Mike Tomlin claimed he didn't remember the details. However, Tomlin did offer some interesting insight when discussing Pickens' future as he enters the final season of his rookie deal. Tomlin's comments indicated that he is still evaluating where Pickens fits in long-term, leaving fans and analysts alike to speculate about what lies ahead for the young receiver.
"We haven’t had any conversations about pecking orders or priorities regarding any individuals contractually," Tomlin said when asked if signing Pickens is a must in the 2025 offseason. "We aren’t there yet and I don’t know that that’s going to transpire this week. We are still assessing what happened in 2024."
Tomlin didn’t reveal much, admitting that addressing Pickens' future is lower on the priority list compared to other pressing matters for him and General Manager Omar Khan.
AP
Steelers' Mike Tomlin celebrates with wide receiver George Pickens during an away game.
However, he did acknowledge that Pickens showed improvement in all areas during the 2024 season, though he also emphasized that the young receiver still has some growing up to do.
"There’s more room for growth there, but I think he covered some ground in 2024, but there’s certainly a heck of a lot more ground to be covered and we will see where it leads us," Tomlin said.
Tomlin is always focused on the growth, skill, and maturity of his players, recognizing that all of these elements are crucial for success. He’s flexible in adjusting his approach to coaching and discipline to achieve the desired results. Known as a players’ coach, Tomlin isn’t afraid to discipline when necessary. The truth is, Pickens is too valuable to the offense right now for the team to make any drastic moves.
Tomlin appears pleased with the growth he saw from Pickens in 2024, particularly in his mindset, but still acknowledges that there’s much more work to be done. As Pickens enters the final year of his rookie contract in 2025, it’ll be interesting to see whether he holds out for a new deal. With Pickens likely expecting top-tier wide receiver money, the Steelers will face tough decisions, especially considering their ongoing need at the position and the crossroads they’re at with his future.
The fan base seems divided on Pickens. While he’s undeniably one of the most talented receivers in the NFL, some question his composure, while others argue that he’s simply a competitive player who hates losing. Pickens appears misunderstood by those who believe he no longer fits in Pittsburgh. The Steelers will soon have to make critical decisions regarding his future, and a trade could be on the horizon if they don’t see a long-term fit and want to secure a return.
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