The Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Wide Receiver George Pickens wowed the NFL with some of the most amazing catches of the season. Pickens gained notoriety throughout the league for his incredible hands and ability to contort his body to come down in bounds. The rookie made the catch of the year against the Cleveland Browns in Week 3 of the 2022 season. The Steelers’ former quarterback released his latest episode of Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger and sang the rookie phenom's praises.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 22: George Pickens #14 of the Pittsburgh Steelers makes a one-handed catch ahead of Martin Emerson Jr. #23 of the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 22, 2022, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
“Saved it till last, George Pickens,” Roethlisberger said as he recapped what he liked in the Cleveland Browns game. “I feel like he can make every catch. High balls, low balls, back shoulders, it just seems like if it is in his area, he is going to make the play.”
Pickens walked onto the football field at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA in training camp and produced highlights consistently. Matt Canada’s personnel groupings were incredibly frustrating to watch as the talented rookie lost playing time consistently throughout the season and only played about 75 percent of the offensive snaps down the stretch. He is a talented run blocker, so his absence on the field is even more puzzling.
“I just pray that young man can stay focused,” Roethlisberger added. “Stay dialed in, continue to want to be the best, put the work in, get there early, stay late. Continue to work with Kenny and the other receivers. Don’t take from the success you had this year and just let it ride. Double down on it, triple down on it, keep striving to be better.”
Photo Credit: Pittsburgh Steelers YouTube.com
Pickens seems driven to be a top receiver and the evidence was clear when he was most frustrated this season. The former Georgia Bulldog was visibly angry and frustrated that he was not getting the ball in his unofficial homecoming against the Atlanta Falcons. Pickens’ passion to perform in front of the home crowd was palpable and, in his frustration, he boiled over. It was the only time all season he didn’t control his emotions about not being more involved on the field.
“If you’re not careful, your attitude can kind of get you in a bad spot,” Roethlisberger concluded. “Thinking you’re better than you are. I don’t know him that well, I just pray that it doesn’t happen to him. I pray Coach Tomlin and the other coaches don’t let it happen because he has the ability and has shown to be a superstar.”
Ben Roethlisberger could have been talking about the rookie’s frustration in Atlanta, but it seemed too specific. Another freak athlete had a great rookie season in Pittsburgh with Roethlisberger at the helm near the end of his Hall of Fame career. Chase Claypool, who was also a second-round draft pick exploded out of the gate in his rookie season and seemed to have all the tools to be great.
Claypool never had Pickens’ ability to pull down every pass thrown in his direction. He could barely keep his feet by the time the Steelers traded him to the Chicago Bears and the lack of focus was a hallmark of Claypool's tenure with the Steelers. However, knowing the history and disappointment that Claypool generated by not exploiting his gifts, this may have been a not-so-veiled shot at the former Steelers receiver by Roethlisberger. Instead of a seemingly sincere attempt at encouraging Pickens to be the best version of himself in the NFL.
The future Hall of Fame signal-caller has been raving about Pickens for most of the season on his podcast and you can feel the what-ifs running around in his mind at the thought of being the signal-caller who gets to throw to him. Roethlisberger, before his elbow surgery, threw one of the prettiest deep balls in NFL history. The thought of him throwing to Pickens on those go routes must be a maddening tease for him, just one year removed from retirement.
George Pickens eludes Duron Harmon and the Raiders' secondary for a game-winning touchdown Saturday night at Acrisure Stadium / Photo Credit: GAELEN MORSE / GETTY IMAGES
Roethlisberger had the services of Antonio Brown so he can’t complain too much. He will just have to be content with watching Kenny Pickett reap the rewards of Pickens’ miraculous catches for the next decade and wonder what if?
What do you think Steeler Nation? Are you excited to see George Pickens develop into WR1? Please comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
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