Steelers News

George Pickens Tabbed to Make All-Pro Leap

Published

4 months ago

May 29, 2024

With Arthur Smith as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ new offensive coordinator and Russell Wilson/Justin Fields at quarterback, this could be the year where George Pickens truly breaks out and solidifies himself as one of the best wide receivers in the league.

Alex Kay of Bleacher Report thinks Pickens will be up to the task of being the Steelers’ bona fide No. 1 wide receiver, as he tabbed him among six players who are primed to make an All-Pro leap in 2024.

Pickens caught 52 passes for 801 yards and four scores in his rookie season in 2022. Last season, he elevated his game with 63 receptions for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns.

Kay notes that Pickens accomplished these impressive numbers while working within the constraints of former offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s scheme and a quarterback in Kenny Pickett who failed to live up to expectations.

Steeles wide receiver George Pickens during an OTAs practice on May 21, 2024. — Ed Thompson/Steelers Now

In the last two seasons, the Steelers’ quarterbacks managed to throw only 25 touchdown passes. Pickett, Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph all have left town.

Pickens really was dealing with a dire situation, and still managed to produce. With the revamped quarterbacks room and Smith’s scheme implemented, the potential for Pickens should be unlimited.

One a few occasions, Pickens publicly declared that he got snubbed from the Pro Bowl last year. That’s something that I’m sure he’ll have in the back of his mind this year and use as extra motivation.

Pickens is willing to do whatever it takes to take his career to new heights. Even if it means losing sleep.

Pickens recently told Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he doesn’t take time off. He even claimed that sometimes he don’t even sleep and will pull all-nighters, just thinking about football.

Pickens has worked on adding to his game as a route runner and diversifying his route tree in game situations this offseason.

“I worked on quicker routes,” Pickens said. “You know, I feel like I’m already dominant at the line, so it’s about getting quicker, really.”

If all the pieces fall in the right place, Pickens could become the first Steelers’ wide receiver to earn All-Pro accolades since Antonio Brown in 2017.

Nick Farabaugh contributed reporting from Pittsburgh.