Steelers' George Pickens Hears Wild Claim From Aqib Talib

The Pittsburgh Steelers missed their star wide receiver George Pickens in their Week 14 27-14 win over the Cleveland Browns. Pickens was ruled inactive just an hour before the game, and it was revealed he's dealing with a grade 2 hamstring injury. His absence was felt, but the Steelers managed to pull off a crucial victory despite the setback. Other wide receivers stepped up to fill the void left by Pickens' injury. Pickens then had to miss two more games with the injury but is now back to face off against the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day.

Pickens has been having a tremendous 2024 season, steadily climbing the ranks of wide receivers across the league. His ability to make plays and his impact on the field have made him one of the most exciting young talents in the NFL. The Steelers’ offense has flourished with Pickens, and his potential to become one of the league's elite wideouts continues to grow. Steelers fans noticed a big drop off in the production of the offense when Pickens was out with injury.

On Monday morning, former Super Bowl champion Aqib Talib joined Rob Gronkowski and Kay Adams on Up & Adams. Talib made a jaw-dropping claim, stating that Pickens is already a top three wide receiver in the league. This hot take from Talib, who knows wide receiver talent better than anyone, underscores just how highly regarded Pickens is across the league, further solidifying his status as one of the league’s brightest stars.

"I feel like he has always been good, but with a veteran quarterback, he is probably putting in more work after practice," Talib said. "He just is getting on the same page with his first time having a real quarterback. It is just flashing at all times, the 50/50 balls are his, the routes, the catch and run."

Pickens' talent is undeniable, but his fiery play has often drawn criticism. As a highly competitive player, Pickens doesn’t handle losing well, and at times, his intensity has led to negative media attention. 

However, Talib pointed out that this very competitive spirit is actually a valuable asset for the Steelers' offense. Talib emphasized that Pickens' drive to win and his passion on the field are qualities that can elevate the entire team.

"The dog mentality at receiver," Talib said. "When the receiver play like that, it turns up the o-line up and the running backs. That whole team feels that and they build off of that. I love what he is doing right now. He a problem. Nobody wants to guard him one on one, the best guy in the league don’t wanna guard him one on one. He is a dog."

Pickens is rarely shut out of games. Even in matchups where he hasn’t been able to produce, he still manages to frustrate defensive backs, drawing pass interference calls and making his presence felt with big chunk plays. Talib’s assessment is spot on—Pickens has made some jaw-dropping catches, and at this point, his talent is undeniable.

Steelers' George Pickens Ranked Amongst The Best Wide Receiver's In The NFL

Talib went on to say that he believes Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase are the top two wide receivers in the NFL, with Chase taking the top spot, followed by Jefferson, and Pickens coming in at number three. While the debate for the top two spots is fierce, with both Chase and Jefferson standing out as elite talents, the fact that Pickens, in only his third season, is entering this conversation speaks volumes about his skill and potential.

Steeler Nation has embraced Pickens, but there remains a concern about his maturity. Some pundits feel that if he doesn't evolve in this area, he may not earn a second contract in Pittsburgh. However, fans are optimistic that Pickens will continue to grow as a team player and leader, letting his immense talent do the talking. One thing is for sure—Pickens is a gamer, and he's quickly becoming a household name in Pittsburgh. Steelers fans are thrilled that he is back from injury and hope he will lift the offense against the Chiefs.

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