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Mike Tomlin Noncommittal on George Pickens’ Future With Steelers
Wide receiver George Pickens is heading into the final year of rookie deal and his future with the Pittsburgh Steelers is up in the air.
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is heading into the final year of his rookie deal in 2025. However, head coach Mike Tomlin is not ready to give the big-personality wide receiver another contract quite yet.
On Tuesday, Tomlin admitted that extending Pickens is far from a priority right now.
“We haven’t had any conversations about pecking orders or priorities, regarding any individuals contractually,” Tomlin said. “We’re not there yet and I don’t know that that’s going to transpire this week. We’re just still assessing what transpired in 2024. Those are more 2025 things.”
That doesn’t mean the Steelers won’t extend Pickens this offseason, although he’s given them many reasons why they shouldn’t over the past few years.
The 23-year-old has been fined on many occasions and a recent report revealed he arrived late to the Steelers Christmas day game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Steelers have given Pickens more than enough time to mature, but it feels as though he has taken more steps backwards than towards that goal.
“There’s certainly, obviously, more room for growth there,” Tomlin said. “I think he covered some ground in 2024, but there’s certainly a heck of a lot more ground to be covered. We’ll see where it leads us.”
This isn’t to say Pickens still can’t turn things around, but his behavior on and off the field is becoming a concerning trend.
Many would consider Pickens to be a veteran at this point of his NFL career. He is far from acting like one, though.
“I’m always concerned about the growth and development of individuals,” Tomlin said. “Whether it’s skill relative to the positions that they hold, professionalism, maturity or combinations of all the above.”
Nonetheless, Pickens has undoubtedly been the Steelers No. 1 wide receiver. In 2024, he led the team with 900 receiving yards on 59 catches in just 14 games. The next closest player was tight end Pat Freiermuth, who registered 653 yards on 65 catches.
If the Steelers can add some more talent to their wide receiver room this offseason, whether it’s through free agency or the draft, then Pickens will become expendable. Until then, however, Pittsburgh will have to deal with his antics in order to stay competitive on offense.
Tomlin has long been praised for his ability to deal with bigger-personality players, but it sounds like he’s nearing his final straw with Pickens.
“I think I’m always in consideration of changing my approach to get a desired result,” Tomlin said. “Particularly, when it gets repetitive.”
If that is true, Pickens’ days as a Steeler could be numbered in what will likely be another offseason full of change.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
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