The Pittsburgh Steelers are at a crucial point in the 2024 season. The team has its toughest stretch of games, and their lead in the AFC North was shortened to just one game. Pittsburgh will take on the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16, and if it can, it will capture the division title -- which means there will be at least one home playoff game at Acrisure Stadium. Star wide receiver George Pickens has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, but there is a slight chance he can return against Baltimore.
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Steelers' George Pickens celebrates with his teammates after a big-time touchdown.
Pickens is a critical part of the offense for the Steelers, and that was on full display during the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15. The passing game struggled without him, as did the offense as a whole. The Steelers played alright without Pickens when they went up against the Cleveland Browns in Week 14, but things were not the same in Philadelphia.
Mina Kimes joined Kay Adams on Up & Adams on Monday, and she explained just how much the Steelers need Pickens and what the young receiver provides.
"He's just so fundamental to what Russell Wilson does," Kimes said. "It's a very deep ball-dependent offense. It's very explosive. It's a little bit inconsistent. When you take out a guy who literally catches everything thrown his way, suddenly that explosive element is gone, and you're just getting a lot of three-and-outs. That's not to shade Russ. That's just the style of the offense. It's a bit boom-or-bust, especially when they're not running the ball well. He's so underrated, and I think you're really seeing that right now in his absence."
Russell Wilson has seen a lot of success as the quarterback in Pittsburgh, but he is certainly reliant on the deep ball. Pickens is a big part of that. He is one of the best jump ball receivers in the league. The wide receiver may not be near the top of the leaderboards in every statistical category at the position, but his presence is definitely felt when he is on the field and he is certainly an underrated wide receiver.
Associated Press
Steelers' George Pickens talks with Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase after game.
Something that hasn't been talked about too much as the end of the regular season grows closer is Pickens' contract situation. He was drafted back in 2022, and he was a second-round selection -- which means his rookie deal ends after the 2025 season. This also means he is eligible for a contract extension during the 2025 offseason. Pittsburgh typically doesn't conduct contractual business during the regular season, but once the offseason rolls around, this will likely be a strong talking point.
There has been a lot of debate about whether or not Pickens should receive a second contract in Pittsburgh. The talent is obviously there, but the young wide receiver has struggled with his behavior at times. He has thrown tantrums on the sideline and gotten fined countless times for his actions on the field. It will be interesting to see whether or not he gets an extension, but with how the offense is playing with him out due to injury, he absolutely should.
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Steelers' George Pickens gets by a Bengals defensive back for a score.
Steelers' George Pickens Is An Important Piece Of The Offense
When Pickens is on the field, opposing defenses have to respect the deep ball, and when he is not, they can play closer to the line of scrimmage. This means that Pickens has the ability to open up the running game, while also making amazing plays through the air. Wilson is expected to be brought back to Pittsburgh for the foreseeable future, and with his love of throwing the deep ball, it doesn't make much sense not to extend Pickens. The wide receiver has improved in every year of his career, and he has seemed to mature more as the year goes along.
What do you think the Steelers should do with Pickens during the 2025 offseason? Let us know in the comments below!
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