Following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 29-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day, Steelers pass receiver George Pickens went viral and got some criticism from regional media members when he quickly disrupted a post-game interview to praise Kansas City stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
Throughout Thursday’s edition of the “Pro Football Talk Live” program, NFL expert Mike Florio described why he feels Pickens was doing more than just revealing excellent sportsmanship after a defeat.
“My idea was he’s stating, ‘Come get me.’ I suggest, I seem like Pickens has actually been at that point of ‘I’ve had enough here’ for a while now. It flashes from time to time,” Florio stated, as shared by Josh Carney of Steelers Depot. “He has visions of what he might perform in an offense with a higher-end death video game, an offense that tosses the ball more than the Steelers do. And they’ve had a difficult time. Consider all the guys who have actually been bothersome at the receiver position that (Steelers head coach) Mike Tomlin has actually kept it under covers till either the very end or after they’re gone. With Pickens, it’s been relatively consistent the previous number of seasons.”
Most just recently, the Steelers eliminated Diontae Johnson last offseason after he provided the club more headaches than highlight-reel plays. When it comes to Pickens, he hasn’t yet end up being the top-tier skill numerous believed he ‘d be when Pittsburgh made him a second-round choice in the 2022 NFL Draft. Per ESPN statistics, he leads the group with 58 receptions, 97 targets and 900 getting backyards. He’s scored simply 3 goals over 13 video games.
Expected maturity issues relating to Pickens triggered some to think previously this year the Steelers might ultimately trade him instead of sign him to an extension as soon as he’s qualified this coming offseason. Florio hinted the 23-year-old would invite such an advancement.
“Maybe it’s reaching completion of the roadway for the Steelers and George Pickens,” Florio included.
It’s obvious the Steelers had an interest in trading for a No. 1 receiver from last winter season through this fall, and it was formerly recommended that Pickens might be part of a bundle for such a playmaker. One questions if the drama he’s triggered over the previous number of years might lead to Tomlin approving Pickens’ desire, presuming Florio is ideal about the third-year professional wishing to capture passes tossed by Mahomes.
