Steelers' George Pickens Seriously Tabbed "Immature" From Those Within The Organization

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to have to make a difficult decision sometime in the near future when it comes to what to do with wide receiver George Pickens. The player just finished his third season, which means he is eligible for an extension during the 2025 offseason. There is virtually no chance he gets a new deal before the season begins, and he may even get traded. It doesn't actually make much sense to trade Pickens, but if another team is out there and willing to give up significant draft compensation, it could be the right move. 

Pickens clearly is extremely talented, but he has struggled with containing his emotions throughout his career. There has been countless 15-yard penalties after the whistle, while his body language on the sideline is oftentimes less than encouraging. Pittsburgh was able to complete a trade with the Seattle Seahawks ahead of free agency for star wide receiver DK Metcalf, and the two should be a great pairing, as long as Pickens can keep his emotions in check. 

Former NFL safety Rodney Harrison spoke about Pickens and the Metcalf deal on Football Night In America, and he is begging the receiver to change his mindset.

"Every time we're down there [Pittsburgh], we talk to some people within the organization, they say the same thing, 'He's immature. He's a kid that has all the talent in the world.' This should be a wake-up call, because he was supposed to be the number one receiver. They paid DK Metcalf $150 million to come in here and be that guy. Because they can't depend on you, because they can't trust you."

Harrison and the Sunday Night Football crew usually speak to some Pittsburgh coaches about twice a season when the franchise plays in the primetime slot. The analyst mentioned that those within the organization have come out and called him immature, but can acknowledge his talent. Pickens will be in his fourth season in Pittsburgh in 2025, and if the coaching staff can't get him to show some progress in his maturity, he will likely be playing elsewhere in 2026.

Pickens has the talent to be the number one wide receiver for a team, but his antics make it so a team cannot rely on him. This is partially why the Steelers made the move for Metcalf, other than needing to upgrade the wide receiver position as a whole. Former NFL Head Coach Tony Dungy was also on the show with Harrison, and he believes the new duo in Pittsburgh has the potential to do something extraordinary.

"They've got a chance to do something special," Dungy said. "To me, these two guys, they've got a chance to do what [Ja'Marr] Chase and Tee Higgins are doing in Cincinnati. That should be the goal. Let's go out and dominate where nobody can handle us and I think that is what they are trying to get across to Pickens."

Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are arguably the best wide receiver duo in the NFL, and the two just signed some lucrative deals to stay with the Cincinnati Bengals. Asking Pickens and Metcalf to be similar to that duo is a tall order, but if it is done correctly, it would force Pittsburgh into thinking about re-signing Pickens after the 2025 season. It is hard to fathom the organization would ever consider signing two receivers to larger deals, but that seems to be the way the NFL is trending.

Steelers Are Not Giving George Pickens Much Of A Chance To Prove Himself

Pickens has been frustrated at times throughout his career, which is part of the problem. However, the offense has been stagnant throughout his career. The quarterback play has been inconsistent or straight up horrendous. He has never once seemed to be getting schemed open by the coaching staff for the Steelers. His frustration is completely understandable, and if the Steelers don't solidify the quarterback situation for the 2025 season, the organization shouldn't expect much better from the fourth-year wideout. 

What do you think about the Steelers' new receiving duo? Let us know in the comments below!

#SteelerNation