Since early December, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and team owner/president Art Rooney II have publicly mentioned how extensive receiver George Pickens must develop/develop up forward of his fourth professional season.
It seems former All-Professional receiver Chad Johnson might be a part of Pickens’ maturation course of.
“We carried out talked,” Johnson mentioned about Pickens throughout a latest version of the “Nightcap” YouTube present and podcast, as shared by Jake Brockhoff of Steelers Depot and Nick Farabaugh of PennLive. “We had that dialog. I assure you gained’t have any extra issues out of him. Mike Tomlin, you gonna see this. Rooneys, you’re gonna see this. I assure you gained’t have any extra issues with him.”
Maturity concerns hovered over Pickens lengthy earlier than he rocked a profane message on his eye black, grappled with an opposing cornerback throughout a Hail Mary try, was flagged twice for unsportsmanlike conduct in a contest, reportedly showed up late for Pittsburgh’s Christmas Day recreation in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and suggested after the Steelers’ playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens that he wasn’t optimistic about the way forward for the Pittsburgh offense.
Pickens unsurprisingly turned the topic of trade rumors forward of the postseason event, because the 23-year-old is on observe to enter the final year of his rookie contract. Nevertheless, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly of “The Pat McAfee Present” mentioned throughout Tremendous Bowl week that he feels “Pickens can be again” for no less than yet another season.
In the meantime, The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo wrote for a chunk printed Thursday that he “might see” Tomlin wanting to carry onto Pickens. The perception exists that Tomlin “makes most” of the personnel choices for the group.
“I instructed him, ‘Hear, that window of alternative, boy that b— shrink actual quick now. It do not matter how good you might be. They are going to tolerate you till they will change you,'” Johnson added concerning the message he gave Pickens.
Solely time will inform if Johnson is correct concerning the Steelers not having “any extra issues” associated to Pickens’ antics or perspective. On paper, the Pittsburgh offense could be higher with Pickens even when the membership acquires a big-name goal by way of free company, a commerce or the upcoming draft. Then once more, the 2022 second-round choose might have merely worn out his welcome with the Steelers.
