The Pittsburgh Steelers had an incredible offensive run with Antonio Brown on their roster. During his nine seasons with the team, Brown caught 837 passes for a total of 11,207 receiving yards and scored 74 touchdowns. He was named to seven Pro Bowl teams and four All-Pro teams. Brown's performance from 2013 to 2018 was exceptional, marking one of the greatest runs ever by any receiver.
However, Brown's fairytale with the Steelers ended on a sour note. He forced his way out, becoming a significant headache for the organization. Despite this, he managed to win a Super Bowl outside of Pittsburgh before ending his NFL career in the most bizarre way possible. Brown has since become a polarizing figure, and his frequent media appearances often cause a stir.
Recently, Brown joined The Pivot Podcast, reuniting with his former teammate Ryan Clark and his co-hosts for an episode. During the podcast, Brown was asked to name his top five current wide receivers. Although he didn't mention George Pickens as the top five in the NFL, he did share his thoughts on the young and upcoming wideout.
"I like a guy that's on the brink of greatness who are hungry. Who's been through some stuff. Guys who have a lot of potential who ain't unleashed what they really got. Guys like [Marquise Brown]. I like my guy from [the] Pittsburgh Steelers. I think he's capable of a lot of yards. Hoping he gets the offense going. George Pickens."
Brown mentioned two wide receivers he believes have great potential. Naturally, he brought up his cousin Marquise Brown, who has shown flashes of brilliance in the NFL, but has yet to fully realize his potential. In the 2024 season, Marquise will have the luxury of catching passes from Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.
Another wide receiver Brown mentioned was the Steelers' young star, Pickens, who is entering his third season in the NFL. Pickens made an immediate impact as a rookie and continued to be productive in his second year, despite playing in one of the league's worst offensive systems. Over his first two seasons, Pickens has caught 115 passes for 1,941 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
Brown believes Pickens is on the verge of greatness, a sentiment shared by many Steelers fans and pundits. Pickens has demonstrated the ability to make spectacular catches and is considered one of the most talented wide receivers in the NFL. However, he has occasionally shown a lack of positive attitude and effort, which is understandable given the challenging circumstances he has faced. However, if not fixed, will cause tension within the organization.
The Steelers' offense was historically bad during the 2023 season, and Pickens wasn't being featured correctly. He even refused to block for a teammate on a potential scoring play, causing quite a stir within the media. However, by the end of the 2023 season, Pickens was seen with a more positive attitude. The Steelers hope he can carry that positivity into the 2024 season and emerge as a leader.
Steelers' George Pickens Is Set To Carry The Offense In 2024
Pickens is expected to have a breakout year in 2024. For the first time in his NFL career, he will be the true number one receiver in the offense. He will receive plenty of targets but will also face intense coverage from opposing secondaries. The Steelers wide receiver room has been questioned a lot this offseason. Pickens is going to have to carry the offense in 2024.
Despite the challenges, the Steelers have brought in new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith this offseason. Smith faces significant pressure to revamp a struggling offense and achieve a quick turnaround. With upgrades at every position and improved quarterback play, Pickens is poised for a massive 2024 season. Steelers fans are excited to see their young wide receiver take the next step in his career this upcoming season.
