Steelers George Pickens Needs To Find Consistency After…….
After Matt Canada was fired, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense made a major statement by defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 12, amassing 421 yards in the 16-10 victory. The Bengals were in town, and the Steelers needed to show once more that they weren’t giving up on the season after three straight dismal losses. Mason Rudolph, the third-string quarterback, was selected to lead the way and kicked off the game with an early 86-yard touchdown pass to George Pickens.
Pickens needed a win to calm his detractors following a week full of drama.
On a play against the Indianapolis Colts in which the running back would have likely scored a touchdown if he had received a block from his wide receiver, he failed to block for Jaylen Warren. It was unclear if the other players in the locker room thought well of him as a colleague.
Respected NFL voices like Peter King of NBC Sports demanded that he be declared inactive for the crucial game against the Bengals. Earlier in the week, Mike Tomlin, the head coach, spoke during a press conference primarily about quarterback Nick Foles’ antics and his efforts to control them.
The young, gifted receiver was frustrating, but Tomlin and interim offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner persisted with him, and their faith in him paid off. On Christmas Eve, Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss appeared on ESPN’s Sunday Countdown. While discussing the Steelers’ dominance over the Bengals, he had some very kind words to say about the receiver.
“Pickens, what I need to see wide receiver to wide receiver is a little bit more consistency,” he stated. “We are aware of the level of athletic ability you possess. Does what I watched last night continue? I thought it was good. I am eager to see what George Pickens has in store for us the following week.”
After his career day with four receptions for 195 yards and a pair of touchdowns, Pickens gave effusive praise to Rudolph for unleashing the deep ball, which has been a missing part of the Steelers offense. It was breath of fresh air for the fan base for him to appreciate the efforts of his teammates as Pickens has previously focused on himself in media sessions.
Steelers Need This Version Of Pickens For Rest Of 2023 And Beyond
Prior to the 2022 NFL Draft, Pickens was the subject of maturity concerns that caused several teams to completely remove him from their draft consideration lists. His skills and abilities were beyond dispute, but he needed to settle in a place that would support his development. Despite some setbacks with the 22-year-old, Pittsburgh appears to be developing into the player they thought he might be when they took him in the second round.
Prior to the 2022 NFL Draft, Pickens was the subject of maturity concerns that caused several teams to completely remove him from their draft consideration lists. His skills and abilities were beyond dispute, but he needed to settle in a place that would support his development. Despite some setbacks with the 22-year-old, Pittsburgh appears to be developing into the player they thought he might be when they took him in the second round.
As the club recovered from injuries to tight end Pat Freiermuth and Johnson, his role somewhat decreased in the ensuing weeks. He just caught one pass for a total of minus two yards during the Tennessee Titans victory. Against the Bengals on Saturday night, he was singled out six times, and he made the most of it.
It’s not ideal to lose. That much is clear, and for a gifted man from Georgia whose entire life consisted of winning, it might be discouraging when things don’t work out. Although Pickens is still a young player and making his way in the NBA, his performance on Saturday night demonstrated his potential.And Pittsburgh needs him to be on every week from now on.
Do you agree with Moss that Pickens needs to be more consistent? How do you think he can get there?