Steelers WR Coach Says It Would Be A "Failure" If George Pickens Doesn't Make A "Big Jump" In 2023

One of the biggest surprises for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2022 season was how much potential the team had shown. Quarterback Kenny Pickett proved himself down the stretch of the season and looked to be the future of this franchise. Alex Highsmith played at an elite level, taking a huge step forward in his career. Wide receiver George Pickens was the biggest surprise of them all. He took this offense by storm by making insane catches and looking like the next Steelers great.

Best Things That The Steelers Could Have Done

In March of 2021, Pickens suffered a major ACL injury that ended most of his season. At the time, he was arguably the best wide receiver for the Georgia Bulldogs. His draft stock was on the rise, and he was looking to be a potential first-round pick. This injury is what led him to fall all the way to pick 52 where the Steelers decided to select him.

Drafting him was one of the best things that the Steelers could have done. Their wide receiver room looked to struggle the year before and after getting rid of Chase Claypool, it seemed even thinner. This meant someone needed to step up and Pickens would do just that. He recorded 801 yards and four touchdowns in his first year and had what was considered the catch of the year in a game against the Cleveland Browns in Week 3.

The only thing that will hold him back in 2023 will be Diontae Johnson. Johnson was the clear number-one target for Pickett in 2022. He managed to have almost 100 more receptions than Pickens had. If Pickens is going to have a breakout year in 2023, the team will have to decide who they want to be their main guy.

Fans aren't the only ones expecting a breakout year from Pickens. Former NFL wide receiver and current Steelers receivers coach, Frisman Jackson believes that he can make it big this year as stated on 93.7 The Fan. He said it would be a failure on his part if Pickens doesn't break out. Jackson also noted that for Pickens to play the way that he did was a failure on his part and that his expectations are much higher than what he produced.

"It has to be a big jump." Jackson then said, "The onus is on me to have him take that next step. That big jump that we are all searching for and want; he’s got to be a great player for us." He then mentions, "We’re hoping to add to his repertoire. Last year he showed the vertical part of his game. He has a lot more to his game. Hopefully, this year we can get him doing a bunch more of what he’s capable of doing. We have to get him to be better after the catch. He needs to be able to take a slant and go 60 [yards] with it. He showed one part of his game last year. We’re working and improving the other parts of his game." Coach Jackson also noted that it would be a "failure on my part" if he does not succeed "expectations."

Although Coach Jackson believes that Pickens has more to prove, his 2022 showing was impressive. The connection that he made with Pickett seemed like they had been playing together for years. The two of them have the potential to be the next great duo in the NFL. The only way that this can happen is if the coaching staff decides that Pickens should be the number one guy over Johnson.

Pickens already made it known that he felt that he should have been a Pro Bowler last season. He noted that he wanted to have two bowls, a Super Bowl and Pro Bowl. That leaves the question of, what will he be able to accomplish in 2023? He could potentially hit 1,000 receiving yards this year, so who's to say he doesn't make the Pro Bowl? It will however come down to the coaching. If offensive coordinator Matt Canada can get the ship right, then it could be possible that he may have to look past a Pro Bowl because the Steelers would be playing in the Super Bowl.

So, what do you think, Steeler Nation? Will Pickens take another huge step in his career? Let me know in the comments below!

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