Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver, George Pickens has had an interesting start to his career in the Steel City. For starters, he’s been incredible despite dealing with a historically bad offensive system and poor quarterback play. At times, his frustrations, attitude, and effort have been called into question—and rightfully so for the most part. Pickens’ explosive talent has been evident, but it’s been hard to fully gauge his potential due to the lack of consistency around him.
During the Steelers' 24-19 loss to the Cleveland Browns, Pickens started off having a good game, showcasing his ability to make plays despite the challenging conditions. However, when the snow started falling, Pickens became virtually nonexistent. One particular moment that has sparked heavy criticism was a Hail Mary throw by Russell Wilson in the final moment of the game. While Wilson launched the ball into the end zone, Pickens was seen in the stands fighting with Browns defensive back Greg Newsome II instead of being part of the critical play.
Many have been hard on Pickens for not being in the end zone for that decisive final play, opting instead to engage in a confrontation. However, Wilson spoke to the media on Wednesday, sharing a powerful message about his star wide receiver.
"Unfortunately, I believe he got pushed out when he was trying to get to the spot," Wilson said. "It was an unfortunate situation. He was trying to get to that spot where I threw it to and he was trying to fight through the ball."
Wilson showed strong support for Pickens, making sure everyone understood just how talented he truly is. He refrained from placing any blame on Pickens for getting caught up in the fight instead of being in position to attempt a game-winning catch on the Hail Mary.
Wilson emphasized that Pickens' abilities are undeniable, and he remains an important part of the team moving forward.
"We got so much belief in George," Wilson said. "He’s proven that and what he is able to do for us. He is one of the world's best at what he does and I am sure glad he is our teammate."
Pickens has had an impressive 2024 season, despite still navigating an evolving offense. He ranks among the top 10 in receiving yards with 776 yards through 11 games. With Wilson as his quarterback, the passing game has opened up even more, and Pickens has become more involved in the offense.
Although he struggled to make a major impact against the Browns, many believe he’s poised to bounce back with a huge performance against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Doesn't Blame George Pickens For Fight Against Cleveland
Mike Tomlin placed the blame on the Browns' defensive back for forcing Pickens out of the play, making it clear that he didn't publicly hold Pickens accountable.
It’s refreshing to see both the head coach and veteran quarterback stand up for their star receiver, showing their support. Steeler Nation is hopeful that being surrounded by leaders like Wilson will help Pickens mature and continue to develop into an even more dynamic team player.
