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George Pickens Is Tuning Out the Brandon Aiyuk Trade Saga

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Steelers wide receiver George Pickens
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens at training camp on Aug. 12, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

UNITY TWP., Pa. — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is aware of the Brandon Aiyuk rumors, but he’s not paying any mind to it. He’s just focusing on the receivers in the room and getting better every day.



“No, not really much,”Pickens said after Wednesday’s practice. “I am just here with these guys (his teammates), being in Latrobe, chilling. … I kind of lock in only on the Steelers. I hear about it (Aiyuk rumors), but I don’t really indulge in it.

“Whatever his situation is, it’s a different situation. I guess that would be up to (Aiyuk), to be honest. I am just here with the guys today.”

The Brandon Aiyuk trade saga between the Steelers and San Francisco 49ers has been a non-stop discussion over the last week, to a magnitude that borderlines insanity.

The Steelers have been linked to Aiyuk in a possible trade for months, so it’s been going on for a while. The two sides are currently at a standstill, as neither Omar Khan or John Lynch are budging.

Steelers wide receiver George Pickens

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens at training camp on Aug. 12, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

Pickens has worked on adding to his game as a route runner and diversifying his route tree in game situations this offseason. It’s also expected that he’ll get more work in the slot.

Pickens thinks new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s scheme can be a boon to the Steelers’ vertical passing game.

“I feel like it’s a way better scheme vertically,” Pickens said. “The scheme is, for sure, prolific vertically.”

Overall, Pickens thinks the offense will just be more dynamic under Smith’s tutelage.

“As far as all the plays and all the guys around, I’d probably say more dynamic,” Pickens added. “At QB you’ve got Justin Fields. He’s an athletic freak. We got him now, so that’s pretty good.”

Quarterback Russell Wilson echoed Pickens’ sentiments. He thinks the sky’s the limit for the offense.

“There’s so much that our receivers can do. We’re really excited about who they are,” Wilson said. “I think coach Arthur Smith’s giving us a great chance to mix up the schemes and everything else. We’ve got playmakers all over the field. We’ve got a lot of speed.”

Alan Saunders contributed reporting for this story.

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