How should the Steelers handle George Pickens this offseason?
In terms of Steelers players under contract, George Pickens has to pose the biggest question. A fourth-year player, Pickens has elite talent. But he has some baggage that comes with it, and the production doesn’t always match.
Pickens is entering a contract year, and ordinarily, the Steelers would extend a building-block piece like a No. 1 WR. In terms of talent, he checks that box, but what about in terms of production and disposition? For what it’s worth, he seems to be more team-focused behind the scenes than it might appear on the outside. At least that’s what his teammates keep saying about him, but it’s not like they’ll trash him publicly.
The thing is, has George Pickens shown himself to be someone you can trust in, say, for three or four years? Can you give him a three-year contract extension and believe he will be not just an asset but a major reason for the Steelers’ success?
They may be more hesitant after Diontae Johnson to pay a wide receiver just because he is the best they have at a given time. Now, I’m sure he could go to a team with a stronger passing game and be a Pro Bowler. But the Steelers can only concern themselves with the George Pickens in their offense. You can’t pay a guy because he’ll be great elsewhere if he’s not great where you are.
There has been a lot of chatter about the Steelers potentially trading Pickens. That is, of course, all idle outside speculation, but it’s not outside the realm of the imagination. The thinking is, if you don’t believe you can extend him now, you should trade him while you can. Not only do you recoup the maximum value, you also avoid the potential headaches of a mercurial player in a lame-duck year.
Of course, the Steelers could decide to give Pickens an extension, but at what price? What is his market value right now? He had a horrible game in the regular-season finale but rebounded nicely in the Wild Card game. He even seemed to behave with reasonable maturity. But he needs to be assessed based on his three-year body of work on and off the field, not one night, good or bad.
The Steelers’ 2024 season has come to its predictably inauspicious end, with yet another one-and-done postseason for HC Mike Tomlin. The offense faltered, and the defensed matched it blow for blow, leading to a 21-0 first-half deficit.
Just like last year, the biggest question hanging over the Steelers is the quarterback question. Do they still believe in Russell Wilson, and/or Justin Fields, or do they want another solution? There are other major decisions to make, as well, such as what to do with George Pickens. Do you sign him to an extension, try to trade him, or let him play out his rookie contract?
The Steelers started the 2024 season 10-3, with Mike Tomlin in the Coach of the Year conversation. Wash, rinse, and repeat, and we have another late-season collapse. This may be the worst yet, a four-game losing streak presaging a one-and-done playoff “run”. Welcome to Steelers football.
