The Pittsburgh Steelers offense was impressive throughout the 2023 preseason. The starting unit was able to score five touchdowns on five drives and the fan base was sold on the fact that Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada had finally figured out how to call an NFL game. The first two regular season matchups have convinced the Steel City faithful otherwise. Canada's group has been extremely underwhelming and got hit with the injury bug when star wide receiver, Diontae Johnson was placed on Injured Reserve with a hamstring ailment he suffered in a tough Week 1 loss.
Steelers wide receiver, Diontae Johnson (#18) stands on the field at Acrisure Stadium before a 2022 regular season game versus the New York Jets. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Johnson landing on IR paved the way for second-year wideout, George Pickens to take the reins as the top pass catcher on the roster. The Steelers won in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns and a big reason why was Kenny Pickett finding Pickens over the middle which led to a 71-yard touchdown. If that gets taken away, however, Pickens, would have been stuck with three catches for just 56 yards.
In Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers, Pickens was involved, but not much of a factor as he caught five passes for 36 yards. It almost seems like Pittsburgh's offense has an easy solution if the group wants to be more dynamic: get the best athlete on the field the ball as much as possible. That hasn't been the point of emphasis, even though Pickens displayed incredible play-making potential in 2022.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk is consistently talking with Chris Mueller and Andrew Fillipponi on 93.7 The Fan. Florio joined the duo again on Wednesday and was adamant on The PM Team w/Poni & Mueller about the Steelers refusing to make Pickens the focal point of the offense.
"Why aren't they even looking his way? They aren't even looking his way in the progression. He should be the centerpiece to the offense. He should be the guy they are constantly looking to get the ball to [with] creative ways, handoffs, bubble screens, short passes, long passes."
Pickens has 17 targets in two games which is nothing to be upset about, but some of the best receivers in the league are consistently being looked at 14 or more times per game.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, George Pickens (#14) runs away from a defender during his first professional training camp in 2022 at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Florio continued talking about how dynamic of a football player Pickens is. According to the analyst, there is absolutely no reason not to make the pass catcher the top option on offense.
"This guy is one of the most dangerous players in all of football and they won't make him the centerpiece of the offense."
He certainly made some valid points to Mueller and Fillipponi until he then went completely off the rails. He suggested that, if the Steelers allowed Pickens to take over, the organization would be writing a hefty check in the near future.
"If he would have the kind of performances that he's capable of, at some point, you gotta pay him $30 million a year."
Are The Steelers Avoiding Pickens On Purpose?
The bombshell that Florio finished with was a direct call out of the Steelers leadership. He was genuine in his beliefs that Pickens may just be too talented to hang around in Pittsburgh. The franchise might be holding off on making him the guy on offense because he would end up requiring a massive pay day that isn't reasonable.
"If you never fully embrace what he can do and he never becomes the superstar he could be, you never have to give him a contract that is among the best receivers in the game."
It's an extremely hot take from Florio given the fact that Pickens is still one of the top offensive players on the team. It's more likely that Canada is incompetent than the front office trying to keep the ball from an athletic freak.
Steelers Offensive Coordinator, Matt Canada walks on the field at Acrisure Stadium prior to a 2022 preseason practice in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
The goal of NFL teams is to win Super Bowls. There is no way that the Steelers would deliberately be avoiding focusing on Pickens to save some money in future years. He is only in his second season and Florio's beliefs are way off base. It will be decades before a wide receiver ever gets paid $30 million a year, anyway. Take his comments with a grain of salt as they hold no true weight.
Do you think the Steelers would ever keep a player from a game plan to save money in the future? Let us know in the comments below!
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