Steelers' Dynamic Wide Receiver George Pickens Is Carrying Himself Differently And Stepping Up As A Leader

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been extremely young on offense over the past few seasons at the skill positions. Players have been somewhat forced into leadership roles early in their careers due to a mixture of their levels of talent and the lack of experience surrounding them. Najee Harris was pushed into a leadership role early and now with the departure of Diontae Johnson, 23-year-old wide receiver George Pickens is expected to lead more in his third season in Pittsburgh. The addition of veteran quarterback Russell Wilson will take some of the leadership pressure off of younger skill players, but not within their own position groups.

It's no secret that Pickens is oozing with talent. Expectations for the third-year wide receiver are very high in the Steelers' revamped offense and he'll have to prove that he can be a number one wide receiver on the field and in the locker room this upcoming season. There are older wide receivers on the roster like Van Jefferson, Scotty Miller and Quez Watkins, but they don't have nearly as much talent as Pickens and are all in their first seasons with Pittsburgh. 

Pickens acknowledged that just by performing and having a big fan base amongst Steelers fans, he has to go about his business differently. Pickens was interviewed at training camp by the Oberserver Reporter after presenting 18-year-old Cole Walker with season tickets and admitted he is taking a new approach in 2024.

"It probably makes me carry myself differently," Pickens said. "I've only been here for three years, and for fans to make me their favorite player, that means a lot to me."

Pickens is young and at times he acts as such. While it's understandable, it still frustrates coaches and fans at times. This is a big year for Pickens to step up and play like a veteran despite being only 23 years of age with high expectations.

It will be interesting to see how Pickens performs in his first season as the clear number one option at wide receiver. Pickens doesn't think it will be much different for him as it was playing with Johnson. 

"When Diontae was here we were both getting double-teamed. It's really going to be the same treatment, to be honest. If you're a good player, coordinators are going to double-team you."

While it may be true that Pickens won't see a significant increase in double-teams, nobody behind Pickens can be expected to perform at Johnson's level and have the ability to consistently get open when Pickens can't.

Steelers' George Pickens Will Benefit Greatly If Van Jefferson Can Step Up

Jefferson is 28 years old and heading into his fifth season in the NFL. In 2021 with the Los Angeles Rams, Jefferson had 802 receiving yards and six touchdowns. A replication of Jefferson's 2021 season would take a huge weight off of Pickens' shoulders as those numbers would be very acceptable for a number two option at wide receiver. The more Jefferson produces in Pittsburgh, the more the younger wide receivers on the roster like Roman Wilson, Calvin Austin III and even Pickens will be willing to learn from the 28-year-old veteran.

If no wide receiver steps up as a solid second option in Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith's offense, the pressure for Pickens, Pat Freiermuth and the run game will increase greatly. Harris and Jaylen Warren are set up to have strong 2024 campaigns behind an improved offensive line, but there will still need to be a good balance. 

Smith's offense will have to be firing on all cylinders to have the ability to run the ball efficiently and set up play-action pass plays. Pickens especially will have to step up and have a big season in 2024 in order to have good offensive production.

Do you think Pickens is becoming a leader of the Steelers offense? Let us know in the comments below?

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