Are the Steelers really trending in direction of an extension with George Pickens?
When Brooke Pryor not too long ago instructed the Steelers have been “persevering with to development in direction of an extension” with George Pickens, she stirred the beehive. Most Steelers followers, it appears, had already made their peace with an inevitable schism. Both he would play out the season and depart in free company, or they’d commerce him.
Few folks, if any, thought that the Steelers would possibly signal George Pickens to an extension. So is there any benefit to Pryor’s observations—or moderately, he opinion? That’s all this appeared to quantity to, moderately than some type of insider info. Based mostly on public feedback, that’s the message she sees within the tea leaves.
Now, it’s true that the Steelers have spoken very optimistically about Pickens this offseason, as they all the time do. However the “as they all the time do” is the purpose, as a result of that is par for the course. So long as he isn’t actively sabotaging the staff, they’re all love for him within the public sphere.
Elsewhere, just about everybody within the group has referred to as him out sooner or later. I’m positive Steelers president Artwork Rooney II has weighed in on George Pickens earlier than. We all know Mike Tomlin has, together with a number of different coaches, saying he must develop up. Teammates have stated the identical factor in entrance of the media, and there’s no proof he has grown up.
After all, the attract of George Pickens has all the time been his immense expertise, even when the Steelers haven’t totally tapped it. From a statistical perspective, he nonetheless leaves rather a lot to be desired at instances. However there’s extra the Steelers can do to assist that alongside, so what does that appear like?
Two issues are required for a George Pickens extension with the Steelers to make sense. One, they must be assured that he can play good soldier, or not less than some satisfactory facsimile of such. Two, they must be assured that they will get extra constant manufacturing out of him. After all, not having a secure quarterback place (or a reliable offensive coordinator) makes {that a} problem.
The Steelers’ 2024 season has come to its predictably inauspicious finish, with one more one-and-done postseason for HC Mike Tomlin. The offense faltered, and the protection matched it blow for blow, resulting in a 21-0 first-half deficit.
Identical to final yr, the most important query hanging over the Steelers is the quarterback query. There are different main choices to make, as nicely, akin to what to do with George Pickens. Do you signal him to an extension, attempt to commerce him, or let him play out his rookie contract?
The Steelers began the 2024 season 10-3, with Mike Tomlin within the Coach of the 12 months dialog. Wash, rinse, and repeat, and we now have one other late-season collapse. This can be the worst but, a four-game shedding streak presaging a one-and-done playoff “run”. Welcome to Steelers soccer.
