Steelers Gameday

Steelers Locker Room: George Pickens on Rocket TD, Austin’s Dash

Published

9 months ago

August 11, 2023

TAMPA, Fla. — George Pickens caught one pass from Kenny Pickett as the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 27-17 in their preseason opener on Friday.

It was enough to check a lot of boxes in terms of things the Steelers are looking to see ahead of the 2023 season.

Pickens ran an in-breaking route, working the deep middle of the field, an area that the Steelers had largely ignored in 2022. He then caught a perfect pass from Pickett that hit him directly in stride — and on a frozen rope — something that the second-year quarterback has been looking to prove he is capable of with more consistency this season. That sprung Pickens free for some yards after the catch, which had mostly eluded him as a rookie last year. Finally, it gave the offense a 33-yard score. The longest touchdown pass of the season for the offense in 2022 was 24 yards.

It was one play, part of just one drive for the first team offense. And yet, it showed so much of the potential that lies within the Steelers offense for 2022.

Pickens broke down the play, and also talked about Calvin Austin III’s 67-yarder later in the game, with Alan Saunders of Steelers Now in the victorious Pittsburgh locker room after the game.