As Diontae Johnson heals from a hamstring injury, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be without their top wide receiver for the ensuing several weeks. George Pickens must now establish his status as the WR1 far sooner than anticipated.
Pickens’s reputation is well-deserved of its hype. The second-year wideout has a catch radius that has never been seen before in the NFL and has already shown flashes of a skill set that might make him a star in this league. But he’s never had the chance to do it all before as the team’s primary option.
Pickens can develop into the wideout he has been rumored to be now that Johnson is injured. Although it’s easy to trust him when he says he’s the best in the NFL, he needs to do more than just run routes.
He’s been working all summer to improve his game, and now that Johnson won’t be playing, he’ll have to show off what he’s learned.
In Pittsburgh, a new WR1 has emerged. It’s time for George Pickens.
George Pickens opens the 2023 season violently for the Steelers
Pickens was highly regarded by ex-Steeler Ryan Clark, who referred to him as “more talented” than Justin Jefferson. Pickens had been practising his yards-after-catch skills during the offseason. In Week 1, Jefferson averaged more than 100 yards in a single half while Pickens was unable to even get Pickett to look his way.
Steelers WR George Pickens liked this comment on his Instagram post:
“Nobody to get that man the ball tho.” pic.twitter.com/IgQXjM8XUY
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) September 11, 2023
Pickens reportedly raced to the locker room without saying much to reporters after the defeat.
I think George Pickens is pretty pissed about his lack of involvement in the offense. And I would agree 100%. pic.twitter.com/6gJHoXjkH1
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) September 10, 2023
Pickens’ emotions are obviously volatile, and it’s possible that his snub of Kenny Pickett stemmed more from general annoyance than from specific rage against his quarterback.
We are just as excited as you are for Steelers to unleash George Pickens.