George Pickens: ‘We Got More Stuff in Store’ for Explosive Offense

TAMPA, Fla. — The Steelers’ offense was suddenly explosive on Friday. For an offense that ranked lowly in explosive plays overall and only scored two touchdowns of 20 or more yards in 2022, they matched that total in one preseason game, notching touchdowns of 33 and 67 yards. George Pickens registered te first one, while Calvin Austin III followed that up in the second half.

However, George Pickens does not believe that the team is done adding to their repertoire of explosive plays. In fact, there is more in store for the team right now. Still, only through the first preseason game, the team will have more install throughout the next few weeks prior to their game against the San Francisco 49ers in a little under a month.

“Based on that play, that’s kinda what I was describing,” Pickens said. “But we got stuff in store for sure.”

One thing that is not schematic-related that the Steelers will need to add to their offense is YAC. For Pickens, there were over 20 yards of YAC. That is one of the things that Pickens means when he says that there is more in store. It has been a focus for Pickens all of training camp and the offseason. So, to see it manifest itself on the field is obviously one of the more enriching things that Pickens has seen in his game so far heading into his second season.

“I don’t know what move that was,” Pickens said. “I was just trying to make a guy miss, the endzone was right there.”

With Kenny Pickett heading into his second season, the team has made it known that they want to be more explosive. That can only happen with both schematic and personnel cooperation. But Friday was a good day to lay the foundation for that to grow into the regular season.

Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Tampa.