Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver, George Pickens has been polarizing during his three seasons in the Steel City. He’s been impressively productive since entering the NFL, especially considering the Steelers’ underwhelming offensive system, which hasn’t been tailored to his strengths. His ability to shine despite the offense's limitations makes his accomplishments even more noteworthy. However, despite his success, Pickens has faced criticism from Steelers fans who question whether he has the composure of a true number one wideout in the league.
Former Steelers big-time rival, ex-Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson, weighed in on Pickens' situation during an appearance on The Nightcap, leading up to the Super Bowl with James Harrison, Joey Porter, and Shannon Sharpe. In the conversation, Harrison expressed his willingness to trade Pickens, further fueling the ongoing debate about the young wideout's future in Pittsburgh. Johnson, however, had a different perspective and made a bold promise that Pickens wouldn’t have any more issues with his behavior.
"That I don't like," Johnson said Wednesday of Pickens' behavior issues. "And we done talked. We done had that conversation. I guarantee you won't have no problems out of him anymore. Mike Tomlin, you gone see this. The Rooneys, y'all gone see this. I guarantee you, you won't have no problems no more."
Johnson, an explosive and often controversial wide receiver in his own right, knows exactly what it’s like to be in Pickens' shoes. With his experience navigating the highs and lows of the NFL, Johnson has developed a deep admiration for the Steelers' young star.
It’s clear that he has a soft spot for Pickens, and it’s refreshing to see a former rival so eager and confident in his ability to help the Steelers get Pickens where he needs to be mentally. Johnson's enthusiasm and belief in Pickens' potential offer a sense of hope for the receiver’s future in Pittsburgh.
"I don't wanna sit here and talk about what we talked about," Johnson said. "But I told him, 'Listen, that window of opportunity, boy that b— shrink real fast now. It don't matter how good you are. They will tolerate you until they can replace you.'"
Johnson revealed that he’s personally mentoring Pickens, offering guidance that he believes will help the young receiver mature both on and off the field. This promise from the former rival has stirred up Steelers fans, as many hope that Johnson’s mentorship could be the key to unlocking Pickens’ full potential and putting any behavior concerns to rest.
Steelers' George Pickens Is Polarizing Within The Fan Base
The truth is, many Steelers fans who want to see Pickens traded don’t fully understand him. He’s often misunderstood within the fan base, which is why he’s so polarizing. When the Steelers are winning, he’s happy and a great teammate. But when they’re losing, he gets upset, likely because he knows how much he could contribute.
His frustration stems from feeling like the team isn’t playing to his strengths, and it’s only natural for him to be frustrated—sometimes even check out—when things aren’t clicking.
Johnson’s involvement with Pickens is particularly intriguing. Pickens has a lot of respect for players like Johnson who came before him, and he’s likely to listen to the advice of a veteran who’s been through it all. Steelers fans will be eager to see if this new mentorship from a former rival can help Pickens unlock his full potential in 2025.
With Pickens entering the final year of his rookie deal, the stakes have never been higher. It’s his chance to prove he can be a leader in the league, not a problem. Steeler Nation loves Pickens and they want to see him get an extension. For that to happen, he will need to show a lot of growth in the offseason.
