‘I don’t want to make it about me’: George Pickens focused on Steelers’ team goal of being ‘a great team’

Pittsburgh Steelers WR George Pickens has developed two reputations in his two seasons in the NFL. One is that he’s developing a bad reputation. Whether you think he deserves it or not, he certainly hasn’t helped himself in that regard. The biggest example came against the Indianapolis Colts in 2023, when he appeared to give up on a goal-line run play. Had he made an impactful block, RB Jaylen Warren could have scored. Instead, Warren was tackled just short of the goal line.

And then, on the first day of training camp, Pickens was reportedly visibly angry with wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni. That doesn’t bode well for Pickens’ future.

But Pickens has also proven himself as a playmaker. As a rookie, he was a phenomenal contested-catch receiver. In 2023, he led the league with an 18.1 yards per catch average while eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark (1,140 yards). So, is Pickens focused on himself? Or is he focused on helping the Steelers be the best team they can be?

“I just want us to be a great team, going to the Super Bowl, just pushing, pushing, pushing for the best,” Pickens said after Saturday’s training camp practice, according to video obtained by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “That’s my main focus. Just a team goal, you know what I mean? I’ve told you guys before, I don’t want to talk about me. I just want the team to be great.”

That’s exactly the mentality you want from every player on a football team, especially the best wide receiver. If that’s really what Pickens’ goal is for the season, that’s great. The question is whether Pickens will do everything he can to be the best teammate he can be.

In offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s new system, wide receivers must be willing and capable blockers. There’s no doubt that Pickens has the ability to be a blocker. He’s 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, far outweighing the cornerbacks he’s facing. If he can channel his energy and strength properly, he’ll win far more blocking battles than he loses.

Will Pickens channel his youthful energy and passion into that? People would do well to remember that Pickens turned 23 earlier this offseason. He’s still quite young, playing a position that lends itself to big personalities.

If George Pickens can respond to Azzanni’s tough coaching and mature, he has the makings of an elite wide receiver, and that could go a long way toward helping the Steelers become Super Bowl contenders.