The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to land a declining Russell Wilson going into his thirteenth year for the veteran minimum, after having no true answers at quarterback in previous seasons. Wilson, 35 who will be turning 36 this fall, comes to Pittsburgh looking to make one final push for his case at the Hall of Fame. In order to do that, his job is to help the Steelers get over the hump and start winning in the playoffs. Another Super Bowl ring and bringing Pittsburgh its seventh title would certainly ride Wilson off into the sunset, and George Pickens could end up as Wilson's greatest receiver ever.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers wide receiver George Pickens makes a catch at OTAs.
Wilson spent his first ten seasons in the league as the Seattle Seahawks star quarterback, leading them to two Super Bowl appearances and securing one of them. The nine time Pro Bowler threw for over 37,000 yards and nearly 300 touchdowns during his time with the navy and green, and had the opportunity to play with a handful of stellar receivers. Some of the standout receivers that Wilson threw to over the years include Tyler Lockett, Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Golden Tate, and DK Metcalf, who might be the most talented of them all.
All five wideouts stand within the top 16 in all time receiving for the Seahawks. Between Lockett, Baldwin, and Metcalf, these are the most talented receivers Wilson has gotten to play with. Wilson did see some new faces in wideouts Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton in his last two years with the Denver Broncos, but they don't surpass Metcalf and the others. Metcalf and Lockett have to be Wilson's top two pass catchers he has played with up until this point. Once Metcalf entered the league in 2019, the duo connected on 29 touchdowns and over 3,100 yards.
From an overall production standpoint, it'd be a tall task for Pickens to touch what guys like Lockett have done with Wilson. Lockett and Wilson played side by side for seven seasons, and Wilson carved the path for Lockett to end up as second in all-time receiving for Seattle.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Russell Wilson throws a pass during mandatory minicamp in 2024.
If Wilson gets the job done and remains in Pittsburgh for years to come, we could see Pickens start climbing some lists. Is it possible that Wilson, going into his thirteenth season, is just now finding his greatest weapon in Pickens? Former Steelers' outside linebacker Arthur Moats believes so, and he is hyped to see what's in store between the two for 2024.
"Now this man has Russell Wilson. That's the part for me that just has me even more hyped about what he's going to be able to do. We know Russ has had an exceptional career delivering the deep ball. Right? Putting it up there and letting DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Doug Baldwin, any of these other guys, coming through and make plays," Moats explained. "Well, I think GP is just as, or if not, more talented than all of those guys."
During his first two seasons with Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph, Pickens went for 1,941 yards on 115 catches. There's never been a doubt about Pickens from a talent standpoint.
His problem has been having a reliable quarterback throwing him the ball on a consistent basis, which Steeler Nation should see this season. Could Pickens end up as Wilson's greatest receiver ever when it's all said and done?
Steelers Haven't Added Another Star Wide Receiver
It doesn't seem like the Steelers are pushing for Brandon Aiyuk at the moment, and they aren't looking for anyone else either. Pittsburgh seems quite comfortable with having Pickens as their number one option in their pass offense, but can the guys behind him produce as well?
Between Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, and Roman Wilson, someone is going to have to make some plays. Although, considering the uncertainty, it's very possible that the Steelers plan to target Pickens the majority of the time when they aren't running the football.
Joe Nicholson / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh receiver George Pickens celebrates a first down catch against the Seattle Seahawks in the Steelers 30-23 Week 17 victory in Seattle.
Pickens and Wilson both have important seasons ahead of them, and both will be fighting for future contracts. What do you think? Could Pickens end up as Wilson's greatest weapon in his career? Or will it be a letdown in Pittsburgh in 2024? Let us know in the comments.
#SteelerNation
