The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted George Pickens in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Since he arrived in Pittsburgh, he has made impossible plays look routine. Pickens has made several seemingly impossible grabs as a professional wide receiver. Ryan Clark said he was more talented than Justin Jefferson as a pass catcher.
Getty Images
Steelers Kenny Pickett scrambles to avoid a sack in 30-7 loss to 49ers
The Steelers got embarrassed by the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, 30-7. Pickens, who has been referred to as a top breakout candidate for the 2023 season, was targeted seven times by Kenny Pickett, who threw the ball 46 times against the 49ers defense.
Pickens ended up second on the team in targets, with Allen Robinson leading the team with eight to go along with five receptions and 64 yards. Pickens managed to grab five passes for 36 yards. Diontae Johnson left the game in the third quarter with a hamstring injury and had six targets and three catches for 48 yards. If Johnson had not been injured, he likely would have led the team in targets like he did for most of the 2022 season.
Steelers' Matt Canada Refuses To Get Rising Star George Pickens More Involved In The Offense
Matt Canada, who was heavily criticized for his use of Pickens during his rookie season, inexplicably utilized Pickens primarily as an underneath target. The second-year wide receiver worked on his run-after-catch skill set in the 2023 offseason, but it is doubtful that his usage against the 49ers was what he had in mind. Pickens did have one deep opportunity on what the Steelers offense thought was a free play, but he could not come down with it. He also made a one-handed grab at the goal line but could not keep his feet in bounds.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers Offensive Coordinator then of the Pittsburgh Panthers overlooks practice at the team's South Side facility in 2016.
Andrew Fillipponi, the bombastic host of The PM Team/w Poni & Mueller, who might be the biggest Pickett supporter on the planet Earth, observed how unhappy the Steelers star was late in the game. A visibly frustrated Pickens was captured in clear frustration during the broadcast. However, unlike 2022 in Atlanta, he did a better job of displaying it.
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
When the Steelers got the ball back, Pickens caught a nine-yard pass for his final reception of the day. Clearly upset, Pickens drew a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty after the grab. Mike Tomlin pulled his young receiver off the field to calm him down after the play. He was not targeted for the game's last three and a half minutes.
The Steelers offense had high hopes after a perfect preseason. Pickens ran mid-range and deep routes, resulting in a touchdown and several significant gains during the preseason. He averaged over 15 yards a catch in 2022. Pickens averaged 7.2 yards per reception in his first game of 2023 and was not happy about it.
It clearly was different from the type of debut he was anticipating. Pickens changed his clothes and gave Brian Batko, the Steelers beat writer for Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a very brief statement. He then bolted the locker room before anyone could ask him to expound.
Steelers wideout George Pickens told me he was heading out and didn’t really have much to say in the locker room after the 30-7 loss to the 49ers. Then he left.
— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) September 10, 2023
It is becoming increasingly evident that Canada needs to learn how to take advantage of Pickens' skill set as a wide receiver. It didn't help that Pickett had one of his worst days as a professional, but his errant throws were not to Pickens. The deep throw to Pickens, on what should have been a free play and the near miss on the sideline, were good chances that Pickens narrowly missed out on turning into big plays.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A5348-544x306.jpg "Steelers George Pickens Cody White")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers George Pickens takes a break during the team's 2023 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA
It is only one game against one of the best defenses in the NFL, but the pattern of misuse by Canada bears increased scrutiny. Pickens is an engaging young star who the offensive coordinator is misusing. Tomlin should attempt to broker peace between Canada and his emerging star before it explodes on the sideline.
Pickens is too talented and emotional to hope for the best and ignore his righteous indignation with the offensive coordinator. Canada either doesn't know how to use him or does not want to take advantage of Pickens' unique talent. Either choice, if true, is terrible, and it has to change immediately if the Steelers are going to be successful on offense in 2023.
Nick Cammett / Getty Images
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens makes a one-handed catch with Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. defending during the first half of the Steelers-Browns game.
Pittsburgh has to fix it quickly because the Cleveland Browns are visiting Acrisure Stadium next Sunday night. The upstart Browns beat the defending division champion Cincinnati Bengals convincingly, 24-3, in Week 1. They would like nothing more than to send the Steelers to the bottom of the division with a two-game lead in early September.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Does Canada need to game-plan ways to get the ball to Pickens on routes that have a chance to pick up chunks of yardage? Please comment below or on my TwitterX: @thebubbasq.
#SteelerNation
